Wind Mountain in Cornudas Mountains BLM, NM

Hike Wind Mountain Cornudas Mountains BLM, NM

Class 2 3.6 miles 2000 gain 1-2 hr Out + Back Feb 21, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Wind Mountain GPX Track

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For miles, there's nothing but wide open flat desert, and suddenly a series of strangely-shaped mountains pop up into view. Wind Mountain, the tallest peak of the volcanic Cornudas Mountains, is really a pretty weird thing. It can be summited likely from any direction, but I'm pretty sure my route was the steepest and involved some Class 2, potentially Class 4 (though easily avoidable), scrambling. My way up was a bit rough, so I found another ridge to come down (see map). What an incredible view from the top of this desolate region at the border of Texas and New Mexico. You can see the other Conudas Mountains, surrounded by a vastness that doesn't feel real. It seems most people start from the east side of Wind Mountain, but I wanted to get nice views of the other peaks on my way up, hence my chosen west side approach. The summit register gives the appearance that Wind Mountain is only summitted a couple times per month.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Wind Mountain
7280 ft
2340 rise

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I parked by some old buildings. Deer Mountain (right), and San Antonio Peak (left) will be in my view for the whole way up Wind Mountain.
I parked by some old buildings. Deer Mountain (right), and San Antonio Peak (left) will be in my view for the whole way up Wind Mountain.
Wind Mountain, just a flat hike away!
Wind Mountain, just a flat hike away!
Starting up from the base.
Starting up from the base.
Looking back down the way I came. Deer Mountain (the small thing) center tight, Alamo Mountain behind that, and San Antonio Peak on the left.
Looking back down the way I came. Deer Mountain (the small thing) center tight, Alamo Mountain behind that, and San Antonio Peak on the left.
Really, I'm sure you won't go the exact same way I went, but this is kind of what to expect on the way up.
Really, I'm sure you won't go the exact same way I went, but this is kind of what to expect on the way up.
Looking back toward Deer Mountain (frontmost), Flat Top (rightmost), and Alamo Mountain (backmost).
Looking back toward Deer Mountain (frontmost), Flat Top (rightmost), and Alamo Mountain (backmost).
Continuing up the scramble.
Continuing up the scramble.
Looking back the way I came.
Looking back the way I came.
Some fun section with Class 2.
Some fun section with Class 2.
Oh god, which way from here? I decided to make my way around the south face of Wind Mountain.
Oh god, which way from here? I decided to make my way around the south face of Wind Mountain.
Looking down the way I came.
Looking down the way I came.
A Class 2+ thing, likely also avoidable.
A Class 2+ thing, likely also avoidable.
Looking back the way I came, San Antonio on the left, Deer the little thing, Flat Top rightmost, Alamo far back.
Looking back the way I came, San Antonio on the left, Deer the little thing, Flat Top rightmost, Alamo far back.
Approaching the Wind Mountain summit.
Approaching the Wind Mountain summit.
Wind Mountain summit looking south. 
Chattfield Mountain far left, San Antonio on the right,
Washburn Mountain the hump between them.
Wind Mountain summit looking south. Chattfield Mountain far left, San Antonio on the right, Washburn Mountain the hump between them.
Close-up of Deer (left), Flat Top (right), and Alamo (back).
Close-up of Deer (left), Flat Top (right), and Alamo (back).
Headed down another ridge, much easier.
Headed down another ridge, much easier.
Back to the base of Wind Mountain. 
Washburn Mountain that hump, Chattfield Mountain mostly hidden on the left.
Back to the base of Wind Mountain. Washburn Mountain that hump, Chattfield Mountain mostly hidden on the left.
Heading back along a dirt road to my car.
Heading back along a dirt road to my car.
Other old stuff where I parked.
Other old stuff where I parked.

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!