dripping springs natural area


The Organ Mountains form part of the western edge of the Tularosa Basin. They are a fascinating collection of peaks with shear drops across the jagged faces. Geologically, they are formed of intrusive granites and rhyolites, hence the different appearance than the San Andres Mountains just to their north and the Franklin Mountains to their south. Since granite is hard to erode, necks of the intrusion stick straight up into the sky giving the Organs their unique appearance. They became known as the Organ Mountains because those granite intrusions look like the pipes of on organ.

There are several ways to access the Organs, but I chose Dripping Springs for my first hike. First off, getting here is a 1.5 hour drive, so a trip out here is a day trip from Cloudcroft. But it is well worth the trip. Dripping Springs is on the western side of the Organs and served as a resort more than a hundred years ago. It's quite remote and takes a 1.5 mile hike (up hill the whole way) to get to them, but, boy is it worth it. Gorgeous vistas, artful ruins, great history, and a spring (albeit dripping)!

It costs $5 for entry and parking. No water on the trail, but there's a potty at the top. Dogs are allowed on some trails (including the first third of the hike to Dripping Springs), but dogs are not allowed on the trail to The Drip. Nothing about cats, so I assume it's OK to bring 'em!

 































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