Organ Needle via Fillmore Canyon in Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, NM

Hike Organ Needle via Fillmore Canyon Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, NM

Class 3 6.5 miles 3600 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Apr 9, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Organ Needle via Fillmore Canyon GPX Track

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Organ Needle is an impressive pinnacle, the high point of the Organ Mountains. This range seems like it shouldn't exist here, the jagged peaks hovering of Las Cruces, NM and mostly ignored by locals. The range seems to be used mostly as a climbing destination, but tourists come check out the historic stuff along the Dripping Springs Trail. The brushy terrain and lack of a trail system deters most from exploring the higher portions of the range. The standard route up to Organ Needle has been carved up well enough to provide a pleasant and somewhat adventurous outing, serving a great introduction to the area and allowing access to the high point. There is plenty more to see in the Organs, but starting with this one is probably the right choice. You can tack on Little Squaretop if you're so inclined, a more thought-provoking scramble right next door.

Starting out from the Fillmore Canyon Trailhead, I headed to the end of the trail where the Fillmore Canyon Waterfall serves as a turn-around point for most. After a short backtrack, a social trail leads up to the left bank of the canyon and above the waterfall. Past here the brush encroaches, but I didn't feel like I was ever actually bushwhacking. There were a few spots where I got turned around in search of a trail, but any time it wasn't obvious I spent some time searching and was quickly back on track. The route is fairly easy to follow for most of the way up with some attention and navigational skills.

The trail leads steeply into a gully with lots of tree cover before wrapping around to the summit's east side where the crux is located. Up to this point nothing has exceeded Class 2, but to gain the summit is a Class 3/3+ set of moves. Within recent years, a fixed line has been placed to aid in the short ascent, but who knows its condition when you get there, so plan on doing some scrambling. Past the crux is some more scrambling up to the incredible views from Organ Needle.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Organ Needle
8980 ft
3700 rise

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Organ Needle seen on the right.
Organ Needle seen on the right.
Fillmore Canyon Trail.
Fillmore Canyon Trail.
Image 2 from gallery
The route to Organ Needle ascends to the left of the gravel pile on the left in this photo.
The route to Organ Needle ascends to the left of the gravel pile on the left in this photo.
Fillmore Canyon Waterfall.
Fillmore Canyon Waterfall.
View back toward La Cueva.
View back toward La Cueva.
Farther up along along Organ Needle Trail, view back toward La Cueva.
Farther up along along Organ Needle Trail, view back toward La Cueva.
Ascending the trail as it approaches the base of Organ Needle.
Ascending the trail as it approaches the base of Organ Needle.
Some slickrock that makes losing the trail more likely.
Some slickrock that makes losing the trail more likely.
View back, La Cueva seen center.
View back, La Cueva seen center.
The trail hugs some cliffs.
The trail hugs some cliffs.
Ascending steeply to the cliffs fortifying Organ Needle.
Ascending steeply to the cliffs fortifying Organ Needle.
View back. It's less brushy than my photos make it look.
View back. It's less brushy than my photos make it look.
Ascending to the gully in the center.
Ascending to the gully in the center.
View west from roughly the 7800' contour.
View west from roughly the 7800' contour.
More pretty slickrock along the trail before entering the gully.
More pretty slickrock along the trail before entering the gully.
View back down.
View back down.
Close-up toward La Cueva (center).
Close-up toward La Cueva (center).
Hugging a cliff as I enter the gully.
Hugging a cliff as I enter the gully.
Within the gully.
Within the gully.
Wrapping around to the east side of Organ Needle.
Wrapping around to the east side of Organ Needle.
The Class 3/3+ crux.
The Class 3/3+ crux.
A bit of light scrambling past the crux and along the ridgeline to gain the summit.
A bit of light scrambling past the crux and along the ridgeline to gain the summit.
View west.
View west.
View southeast toward Organ Peak an Sugarloaf Peak.
View southeast toward Organ Peak an Sugarloaf Peak.
Past the crux, some light scrambling led to the summit. This is a few north.
Past the crux, some light scrambling led to the summit. This is a few north.

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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!