Cruces Basin

Hike Name: Cruces Basin Location: north NM Length: 10 Submitted by: Jon Meinecke Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more New Mexico trail reviews New Mexico national parks New Mexico state parks
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Description
If you are willing to go off the beaten path just to get to the access points, then the Cruces Basin Wilderness in northern New Mexico has a *little* and a *lot* to offer.

The 'little' which it offers is the few hikers who use the area. In four days there last year, we didn't see any hikers or campers other than our party. The remoteness of the area from major population areas and the rough, good- weather-only forest service access roads mean that you really have to *want* to get there to get there! And once you are there you'll want to stay there for more than just a weekend.

The hike from the southern access point is not a technically difficult hike. The area is well suited for family hiking or for a leisurely solo trek. There are no maintained hiking trails in the wilderness, but there are a number of informal hunting, fishing, and game trails. The geography of the area makes navigation as simple as following the streams up and down the beautiful valley meadows.

From the trail head, the first mile is fairly steep downhill along Osier Creek to where it joins Beaver Creek. The good news is that your pack will be lighter when you have to go back up hill on your way out.

Once you reach the valley you have the choice of three directions to explore. Plan to get your feet wet crossing the streams.

We setup a base camp about two and a half miles from the trail head just past the Beaver pond and up Cruces Creek. We spent several days exploring the valleys and ridges. There are trout in the streams,-- though the kids didn't stand a chance of catching them. We also saw grass snakes, deer, and a black bear (running away into the forest 100 yards across the stream). We also heard wolves in the distance a couple of nights.

There was evidence of the cattle grazing (patties and prints),
but we saw no livestock when we were there in July.

Directions to Hike
From Tres Piedras go north ten miles or so to Forest Road 87. Continue 25 miles or so west on FR 87 passing through beautiful aspen forests. The trail head is about a mile and a half north on FR 572. Roads are all gravel and dirt,-- washerboard in many places,-- exposed rocks in some. Low clearance vehicles need special care when driving here, but passenger cars with reasonable clearance can make it through. Roads might be nearly impassible in some places if muddy or snow covered.

Contact Information
Tres Piedras Ranger District
P.O. Box 38
Tres Piedras, NM 87577
(505)758-8678

75 Hikes in New Mexico
by Craig Martin

Toltec Mesa 7.5 Quadrant USGS Map

Cruces Basin Wilderness USFS Map

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