Baylor Peak via Baylor Pass West in Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, NM

Hike Baylor Peak via Baylor Pass West Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, NM

Class 2 7.5 miles 2900 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Feb 18, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Baylor Peak via Baylor Pass West GPX Track

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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.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Baylor Peak
7721 ft
1321 rise

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Starting along Baylor Pass Trail (from the west).
Starting along Baylor Pass Trail (from the west).
Image 1 from gallery
Image 2 from gallery
Image 3 from gallery
You can see Baylor Peak peeking out in the center back.
You can see Baylor Peak peeking out in the center back.
Looking back down the Baylor Pass Trail.
Looking back down the Baylor Pass Trail.
Baylor Peak is that high point on the left.
Baylor Peak is that high point on the left.
Almost at Baylor Pass, looking back the way I came.
Almost at Baylor Pass, looking back the way I came.
Approaching Baylor Pass.
Approaching Baylor Pass.
Looking east from Baylor Pass the eastern trail meeting here.
Looking east from Baylor Pass the eastern trail meeting here.
Continuing north up a lesser-traveled trail leading to Baylor Peak.
Continuing north up a lesser-traveled trail leading to Baylor Peak.
Looking back toward Baylor Pass and Rabbit Ears (currently covered by clouds).
Looking back toward Baylor Pass and Rabbit Ears (currently covered by clouds).
Continuing toward Baylor Peak.
Continuing toward Baylor Peak.
Looking back as clouds begin to clear.
Looking back as clouds begin to clear.
Continues to stay pretty steep the whole way up.
Continues to stay pretty steep the whole way up.
Rabbit Ears from the false summit. The clouds cleared for me for a bit. :)
Rabbit Ears from the false summit. The clouds cleared for me for a bit. :)
True Baylor Peak ahead, a faint knife edge ridge ahead.
True Baylor Peak ahead, a faint knife edge ridge ahead.
Close-up of Rabbit Ears from the Baylor Peak false summit.
Close-up of Rabbit Ears from the Baylor Peak false summit.
Looking back along the faint knife edge toward Rabbit Ears.
Looking back along the faint knife edge toward Rabbit Ears.
Baylor Peak summit, looking north.
Baylor Peak summit, looking north.
Looking south to Rabbit Ears from the Baylor Peak summit.
Looking south to Rabbit Ears from the Baylor Peak summit.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!