Climbing the Organ Needle - Organ Mountains, Las Cruces, NM

My brother and I were initially going to try for Anthony's Nose in El Paso, but I ended up camping at the base of the Organ Mountains. I thought he might want to try the Needle, and at 4 am we made the decision to do it instead.
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[@djpyt104]

I made that climb when I was a young man in college at NMSU back in the early 1980's. That was some beautiful footage that brought back some wonderful memories. Thanks!!

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi David and Deb, you're welcome, and thanks for the compliment. I just wish it was a clearer day. It is definitely a fun climb and one of my favorites so far. It must have been nice to see the Organ Mts. everyday while you were in school!

[@malachycondon4103]

@@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer I see it everyday! It's so beautiful! I got to hike it one day! Thanks for the video!!

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Malachy, you're welcome. That's great that you can see it everyday. Yes, make plans to hike up there as soon as you can. It is a great hike and climb.

[@lascrucespics9235]

very nice

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Las Cruces Pics, the hike is very beautiful, and still one of my favorites. Thanks for watching!

[@bartramdilks26]

I think you would really enjoy the hike up the to top of Organ Peak.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Bartram, I looked at it several years ago but I never got to do it. I think I would like it too, and maybe someday I'll get back to the Organ Mountains. I'd like to do the Needle again too.

[@kristindoja44]

miss this landscape so much. thank you for sharing

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Kristi, you're welcome, and thank you for watching. It's definitely a beautiful area.

[@freespirit7692]

Very nice video - thanks for sharing! I'm from Germany and just returned from a vacation in Southern New Mexico. Hiked the Pine Tree Trail that starts at the Aguirre Springs Campground last week and looked up to the Organ Needle above. The view from top is amazing!

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Angelika, thank you! I haven't been over to that side of the Organ mountains yet. But they are beautiful, and the views up there are definitely great. I hope you had a good time in New Mexico!

[@dirk4926]

That's a great view from up there.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Dirk, yes the views were great. They would have been awesome without the haze, but still very good.

[@adriaq.ubinger4079]

I just hiked this yesterday, and there was a rope up there already. Tough hike for sure!

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Adria, the first time I did it there was a rope already in place also. It's a great hike and I'm sure you had fun.

[@iamrealhuman4380]

When it's not hazy the view is amazing. Man I miss Las cruces.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Mike, I climbed it about a year earlier and the views were better then. It's still awesome no matter though. Just seeing the local scenery on and around the Needle is great. I like Las Cruces. I haven't spent too much time there but just the view of the mountains makes it great.

[@mikemills69]

Preparing myself for the hike now. Up Sierra Blanca twice from Ski Apache and plenty of hiking in the Sacramentos. Watching your clip has swayed me positively...several others made it seem impossibly technical (for me) in spots. Thanks.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Milton, it really isn't too bad at all. The first time I did it I used the rope that was already there, and in this one we brought the rope just to help. Neither of us would need it now since we've been doing more climbing that is tougher than this but still pretty safe without gear. A 100ft rope is plenty to loop over the tree and then just hold onto for a little extra assurance. Then you can just pull it down when you're done. You're welcome and you will enjoy this hike a lot. It's still one of my favorites, if not the favorite. I hope you can make it soon.

[@mikemills69]

14Oct, cooler weather. Anticipation growing...appreciate your reply.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

@@mikemills69 your welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@FlyCheeseFry]

If it makes you feel better about being in Austin, I'm stuck in the Houston area. Talk about flat and humid! We escape to the Hill Country for a little topography if we have a free weekend because anything else is just too far. I only make it to mountains a few times each year. Not stuck forever, though. Planning to relocate to the El Paso area in a few years to have some mountains nearby and some dryness. I love the Organs and the Franklins. Great video. I haven't done the Needles hike yet, but maybe I will eventually.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi FlyCheeseFry, yes it is definitely better to be here versus Houston! At least I can be in Big Bend in 7 hours, instead of maybe 9-10 from Houston. Wow, that's great that you plan to relocate to El Paso! My plan is to move to the Phoenix area as soon as possible, I am just having trouble convincing my wife. I think slowly she is realizing that it is going to happen someday. I've spent about 12 days in the Phoenix area over the past year and feel it is definitely the place to be for a lot of reasons. I would actually move to El Paso too - I like it there as well. You should definitely try the Organ Needle hike when you get a chance. Thanks!

[@ralphjames1211]

Flat and humid?! Well, that's because those parts of Texas is all down on the bayou country!!!

[@viswanathamvempati8159]

Can you give me 19 names given to each one of these needles sir? A visitor camping now again in Lascruces , NewMexico .

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hello, sorry I can't help you. The only one I know is the Organ Needle.

[@davidjones8330]

On the alamogordo side, there are mountain lion warnings. "Don't travel alone"

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hello, there were no signs the way we came in. Maybe they have some at the other entrance southeast of where we started. I think about lions, but just try to be cautious.

[@CameronHall88]

It's real funny that you talk about central tx being flat ... try being from the DFW area. Super flat and boring. I love aspects of it but I would move out west in a heartbeat. My wife likes West Texas but not like I do. I've mentioned opening a B&B near Pine Springs and she didn't really seem thrilled. I'm going to have to look up maps of this area. It looks amazing. Looked like some pretty good forest on the inner sections of the mountains. And those birds whizzing by were nuts!

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

The Organ Mts. are really neat. They don't cover that much of an area, but they are really beautiful. The Sacramento Mts. to the northwest have a bit more to them, and you get the feeling of being further north. I wish I had more time to get out there. Check those out too if you get a chance. I'm still working on my wife to move to AZ. I think we will eventually, and my hope is next summer or fall. Overall, it will be a better location than here, for a lot of reasons. Yeah, you should move west if you can. I think if you opened up something close to the Guadalupe Mts. it would do well. It would really be nice to have a place to eat, get gas, and sleep close by there. I would actually move to El Paso too, but I think the Phoenix area would be the best location. Keep working on it!

[@Me-wk7dz]

DFW has some great urban nature parks, I recommend checking them out to gain some appreciation for the local landscape, also the giant lakes. Plus just a few hours north there's some nice hilly-forests in southern oklahoma

[@nathanielc8892]

Hi! I wanted to ask you some questions about this hike. I am planning on doing this in mid-March. I am coming from a flat area (~1000 ft elevation), how bad is the elevation gain here? This will be at the end of a week long road trip after hitting big bend and devils hall in Guadalupe NP. How technically and physically demanding is this hike? And how much route finding is there?I don’t have any route finding experience(but I do have all trails, lol) I am an intermediate hiker I would say, I have climbed at some elevation (~7000 ft). My hiking buddy is not as experienced but has the climbed the same elevation and most of the same routes as me, but is not a fan of technical stuff. Would this be feasible or should I skip it and try some other time? Thanks!

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Nathaniel, I would definitely try it. There might be a possibility of snow and ice still up there when you go. I know someone died up there after slipping on ice. I guess just check the weather in the week or so leading up to the day you want to do it, and if has been warm and sunny there then the risk should be less. It's not really technical. You might have to do a little searching up past Dark Saddle for where you climb, but you'll know it when you see it. Also, you can probably check other peoples GPS tracks. The first time I did it there was a rope already there, and since I had little climbing experience I used it for a little. Then on this one we brought the rope just in case for the way down. Just bring a 100 ft. rope with you. You should be able to get up, and then loop the rope over the tree up there to assist you on the way down if you feel you need it. It really isn't bad at all though. It wasn't too hard to find the route. I think we lost it once on the way down, but we realized it and backtracked and found it. If you take your time you will see all the cairns and the most worn path. It's pretty steep most of the way, but just take your time if you need to and it shouldn't be that difficult. Plus you will be more acclimated after Big Bend and the Guadalupes. If you have any other questions let me know. This is one of my favorite climbs, so I would definitely try it if you can.

[@nathanielc8892]

@@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer thanks for the reply! I am definitely going to invest in some micro spikes and a rope for this one, lol.

[@waynenoll1967]

I always see you guys just walking through the boulders and rocks, do you ever encounter snakes?

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Wayne, I've personally encountered one snake on my own, and the two of us together have seen four or so. We definitely keep our eye out for them. We've been warned a few times, but the others didn't, although one of them was really young. Thanks for watching!

[@waynenoll1967]

Thanks for your reply. I’ve hiked Red Rocks Canyon outside of Las Vegas some, saw some lizards but no snakes, definitely watched before putting my foot in the wrong place.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

@@waynenoll1967 you're welcome. I haven't been there yet but I wasn't to someday. I usually try to watch out, especially after the ones I've encountered so far.

[@ChucoHiker]

I need to try the needle one day, but I’ve also heard about areas that are technically difficult. Being I am more of a hiker than a climber, this is off-putting. I’ve watched this video a few times over the last year, and I think I’ll give it a go in the new year. I may chicken out at the summit though if it’s scary climbing haha!

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi ChucoHiker, it is one of my favorite hikes, if not my favorite. The first time I did it I used the rope that was already on the tree. The second time I brought a rope and we used it on the way down. Just bring a rope with you (100 ft. is what I had) and you can loop it over the tree trunk for the way down. Now I don't think I would need it at all. I would definitely make this a priority once there is no danger of ice up there. It is a great hike for sure.

[@ChucoHiker]

@@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer sounds like a plan! Didn’t realize a rope was left out there. Wonder how often it is replaced due to weathering by the elements.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

@@ChucoHiker I guess if people tie it on the tree then they just leave it there. We just looped it over so we could pull it down. You should recruit Cameron to hike it with you since he hasn't done a video from out that way yet.

[@blueishyper7079]

When I when the water fall was frozen so if you slipped you fell down in a canyon I guess but you couldn’t see the bottom do to clouds

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi BluE, it must have been pretty cold there when you went. I've heard someone died up there slipping on ice. It can definitely be dangerous.

[@redeemedbythegraceofgod9244]

How long did it take to summit the needle?

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Jaime, I think it took us about 4 - 4 1/2 hours, which was due to my brother not feeling well for awhile. When I did it by myself, it was about 3:15, I think. Thanks for viewing!

[@redeemedbythegraceofgod9244]

Thanks for the response! Been a long time since I have climbed.....this would have to be an all day trip for an old woman like me!.... And it would be better in the autumn for me....not as hot

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

If you have a 4WD vehicle, you can probably drive up the road a lot further, which will save you a lot of time and distance. Another option too would be to camp at Juniper Saddle and make it a two day trip. Also, you can't get lost on the road, so you could also start really early and do the whole section of the road in the dark/early light. It's a great hike/climb, so I would definitely try it if you get a chance.

[@redeemedbythegraceofgod9244]

I haven't climbed in the southwest since I was in my 20s.... I was thinking this would be a nice two day trip. ☺

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Well I hope you can get back to the southwest then! There are several other peaks and climbs in the Organ Mts. as well, so if you end up visiting that area for longer you will have a lot to do.

[@ramtac33033]

Was this recent?

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi, we just did it a week and a half ago.

[@ramtac33033]

Zachary Teich send me a message next time you go. I'll cruise up there from El Paso

[@ybannieto8155]

Hey man we also made it up there

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

The Del 61, I'm glad to hear that. It is an awesome place with awesome views. I really like that climb, and I think I will do it again someday. Thanks for watching!

[@ybannieto8155]

@@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer awesome we live in El Paso. Both military so we did it and we took Breaks / lots of pictures. Total time 11hrs lol

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

@@ybannieto8155 well you are in a good location. I really like the Organ Mts., as well as the Franklin Mts. I think El Paso is a really neat place. It's good to take your time and take in the views. I need to slow down sometimes, but I've often been forced to get things done faster so I can get home. I hope you get to enjoy more hikes in the area while you are there!

[@jcorkable]

I’m road tripping around NM and after driving into Las Cruces and being so impressed by this peak on the skyline, I did a little research and decided to go for it. It didn’t disappoint! In terms of distance and elevation gain, it’s fairly comparable to the typical Colorado 14er route, although obviously more technically demanding than most of the 14ers which are only class 2 hikes. If anyone is wondering how they compare, I’d say if you’re comfortable on this, you should be able to handle *most* of the 14ers. I can’t speak to the more notorious 14er routes like Capital or the Crestones Traverse, but if anyone has done both, I’d be interested in your opinion, as I’m planning to finish the 14ers summer 2021. The biggest difference between this and Colorado (besides having a little extra oxygen) for me was the cactus... watch out or you WILL get spiked!

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi jcork, thanks for watching and I'm glad you had a good time. It is one of my favorite hikes. Thanks for the comparison with the 14ers too. I've only ever done Pikes Peak, and the elevation was rough on me. I hope to get back to CO in the future and start doing more. I hope you can finish them this summer. That is a great accomplishment!

[@youmang]

i thought there was a rope traverse

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi You Mang, there is one section where you might use a rope. My brother and I did on the way down, and I mention it in the video where it is. The rope isn't necessary though.