GOD - and that really says it all. So beautiful. Spiritual if you are the type.
What you might want to know. It is an easy 3 mile walk round trip. A wide gravel path/road but it is loose large gravel and hard on the arches. Stiff or extra thick shoe soles would work best. Allow about 3 hours.
The couple I married out there hiked to the peak shortly after they met. Even when I was younger and in better shape, I chose other ways to get my nature excercise in, but they love it! Pretty secluded, a half hour drive from the freeway, and gorgeous in its own natural way. Beautiful up-close sunset view of the Organ Mountains. No trees to speak of. Very limited facilities.
My family and friends like to hike these beautiful mountains. If you are lucky to get to see the running water fall. Last time we were there a group of young people climbed the water fall to the other side. Nice new trails.
There are several well-groomed and well-marked trails of varying lengths, all of which offer an informative series of plaques identifying the plants and historical sites and explaining their significance. It's a great place to have fun with kids and learn something at the same time. It's also visually stunning, a lovely setting for a picnic or barbeque. Because it's nuzzled up against the east face of the organ mountains it can be anything from chilly to freezing before the sun comes over the mountains, so bring appropriate clothing if you'll be visiting before lunch.
My wife and I spent a lovely couple of hours walking around the Dripping Springs Natural Area last weekend (19 Jan '13). What a great walk!
An easy 5-or-so-mile drive from Las Cruces (the last 2 are over an unpaved but well-graded road), Dripping Springs Natural Area gives a terrific little window into that part of the Chihuahuan Desert. The trails are situated so as to allow moderately fit visitors to really get out and interact with the landscape. The views of the Organ Mountains are glorious, as is visitors' exposure to native plants. Paths are well maintained and are graded to as to minimize inconveniences like having to climb up and down so much to cross small arroyos - yet this is done with a light footprint with respect for the terrain. It's just lovely.
We did the c. 3-mile Crawford Trail, which was easy in under a couple of hours. A little up and down (again, easy if you're moderately fit), but the views make it totally worth the walk. Great time!
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