Baylor Peak via Baylor Pass West

Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, NM Chihuahuan Desert

Trip stats

Distance
7.5 mi
Net Gain
2,900 ft
Time
3-5 hrs
YDS Rating
Class 2
Route
Out/Back
Peaks
1

Ratings out of 10

Effort
4.3/10
Personality
4/10
Beauty
6/10
Solitude
2.9/10
What do these mean? →

Peaks on this hike

Summits listed in route order

  1. Baylor Peak
    7,721′ elevation · 1,321′ prominence

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

32.391240, -106.614020

The directions link below drops a pin on the trailhead coordinates and lets Google Maps pick the route. If the drive has rough roads or access issues that GPS nav might get wrong, I cover that in my trip report.

Get directions (opens Google Maps in a new tab)

Trip report

Feb 18, 2018 — There are two trails leading to Baylor Pass, one from Aguirre Springs Road on the east side of the Organ Mountains, and my route, from the west side. I chose this way because it had more elevation gain, though I'm sure the other way is also nice. The trail is not steep until Baylor Pass and is very easy to follow, but gets a lot more rough as you leave Baylor Pass and asend a lesser-traveled, unofficial trail to the summit. Sections become Class 2, especially toward the very end, but there aren't any surprises. A faint knife-edge from the false peak to the true Baylor Peak is likely the highlight. Along the way up the peak, you get really incredible views of the Rabbit Ears and Needles, the section of the Organ Mountains that's most rugged and stunning.

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Photos

21 photos

  1. Starting along Baylor Pass Trail (from the west).
  5. You can see Baylor Peak peeking out in the center back.
  6. Looking back down the Baylor Pass Trail.
  7. Baylor Peak is that high point on the left.
  8. Almost at Baylor Pass, looking back the way I came.
  9. Approaching Baylor Pass.
  10. Looking east from Baylor Pass the eastern trail meeting here.
  11. Continuing north up a lesser-traveled trail leading to Baylor Peak.
  12. Looking back toward Baylor Pass and Rabbit Ears (currently covered by clouds).
  13. Continuing toward Baylor Peak.
  14. Looking back as clouds begin to clear.
  15. Continues to stay pretty steep the whole way up.
  16. Rabbit Ears from the false summit. The clouds cleared for me for a bit. :)
  17. True Baylor Peak ahead, a faint knife edge ridge ahead.
  18. Close-up of Rabbit Ears from the Baylor Peak false summit.
  19. Looking back along the faint knife edge toward Rabbit Ears.
  20. Baylor Peak summit, looking north.
  21. Looking south to Rabbit Ears from the Baylor Peak summit.

Photo 1 of 1

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Hire or refer me as a web developer, or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so it's funded by yours truly. It also takes a ton of work to edit photos and write these reports. I really appreciate it!

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