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

This was a great hike/climb to the summit of the Organ Needle, the highest point in the Organ Mountains just east of Las Cruces, NM. I had great views, not much trouble finding the route, and really enjoyed the challenge.
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Here's a trip report to get some more detailed directions too:
newmexicomeanders.wordpress.c...

[@gary9933]

The greenery is unbelievable. I lived in Las Cruces for two years and the desert was nowhere near as green as the day you picked to hike the Organs!

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Gary, I guess it had been a wetter summer there. I did the hike in early September. I think it would be nice to live in Las Cruces and look at the Organ Mts. everyday. They are definitely a beautiful and dramatic range. Thanks for watching!

[@rockyorona4970]

Awesome vid bro!!!👍 I'm from Las Cruces but live in California now. Love seeing them when i go visit. God bless you 🙋

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Rocky, thank you and thanks for watching! I really liked the Organ Needle. It's still one of my favorite peaks. It would be nice to see that view everyday from Las Cruces. I really like the area, but haven't spent much time there.

[@dugfern]

very nice

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Tom, yes, this was a nice hike and climb. It is still one of my favorites. Thanks for watching!

[@vector8310]

Every time I'm in Las Cruces the Organs bowl me over. I've climbed some of the Franklin peaks. This one's on my wish list. Thanks for sharing this fantastic video.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Vector, I think the Organ Mountains are awesome. The view of them from the west is amazing. I hope you get a chance to do the Organ Needle someday. It's an awesome climb. I have another video of it in 4K too, if you want to see it in a little better quality. You're welcome, and thank you!

[@viswanathamvempati8159]

Every day I see these needle mountains from the window of my son’s house Coperstone Apartments LAS Cruces . Today your video took me physically up the hill cliff . Thanks a lot . A senior citizen from India now in New Mexico since July 2020 .

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Viswanatham, you have a beautiful view there! I'm glad you were able to see what it is like up there though the video. I also have a 4K video of the Needle hike, which is a little better quality than this one. It is a beautiful mountain range. Welcome to the United States and I hope you like it here so far. Thanks for watching!

[@susandelvalle9652]

I absolutely love this hike; it's my playground!! I will do it again on 2/26/22. Rope is still there. Great video!

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Susan, thank you, and I really like the Organ Needle as well. It is still one of my favorite mountains. I made a video of it in 4K if you want to check that one out. I hope you have fun on your hike!

[@ninjamamapanda5005]

I have been exploring the Organ mountains. I have 4 more months left here in El Paso and I really want to do this hike. Thank you for sharing. At least now I know what to expect.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Kristine, the Organ Mountains are really nice. The Organ Needle is one of my favorite hikes. I did this one in September, and the second time I did it was in July. It wasn't too hot in July, but we started when it was still dark. I hope you can make it. It is definitely a fun hike. Thanks for watching!

[@johnbutler7403]

Great views Zachary. Thanks for sharing this.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi John, you're welcome, and yes the views were awesome from up there. This is definitely one of my favorites hikes and climbs.

[@ertatta]

Wow, blown away with the magical views you captured from these mountains. Been curious about this place ever since passing through this past summer on the way to Cloudcroft. I might have to give this a shot this next June when I revisit the area. Thanku very much for this gift!

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi errata, yes the views all along that hike and from the summit are awesome. This is one of my favorite hikes I have ever done, and I highly recommend doing it. I want to get back there some day and do it again, as well as some of the other peaks in the area. You're welcome and thanks for watching!

[@jaytolbert7538]

Will be there in less than three weeks. Thank you for the preview hike.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Jay, you're welcome. It's a great place, and one of my favorite hikes/climbs so far. I have another video of it in 4k if you want to check it out in better quality. Have fun there!

[@BossSpringsteen69]

I hiked this when i was 12 or 13 with some friends on the white Sands side. I have wondered for years what the needle looks like. We made it to the halfway point where it started to get a little steeper and more heavily foliaged. I'm glad wiser thinking prevailed and we did not attempt to go any higher. I rode my ten speed bike down the trail and we also made a modified go-cart out of a Big Wheel and some plywood during other hikes. Fun times.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

BossSpringsteen69, thanks for watching. Too bad you couldn't make it to the top, but you probably made the right choice. It is an awesome hike, and one of my favorites. Just viewing the range is awesome too.

[@gregoryspicer1555]

Great work on the vid. Very helpful. Thanks so much.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Gregory, thank you and thanks for watching. It is an awesome hike, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[@user-do9in8eq2y]

Awesome view! Thank you. I am planning to hike this mountain next year. the area around the summit looks very steep, I saw the one rope on the wall. I just wonder if that summit is still doable for usual hikers?

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hello , you 're welcome and thanks for watching. The climb isn't bad, but I was nervous about it since I didn't have much experience. Since the rope was there, I used it, but if the rope isn't there just take your time climbing up and it should be fine. If you don't have much experience with climbing, just bring a 100 foot rope with you for the way down. You can put the rope around the little tree up there at the top of the climb. Double up the rope, and then just use it to help you on the way down. Then you can just pull it around the tree when you are done and get it down. I'd probably look at the climb now and think it is nothing, but I've gotten a lot more experience since then. It definitely can be a little intimidating if you don't have experience, but it isn't that bad or dangerous if you take your time. If you can hike with someone else that would also help a lot too.

[@user-do9in8eq2y]

@@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer Thank you for you reply! This is very informative and helpful! I would not say I am super experienced hiker, so I should consider to purchase a rope. Probably I will try this alone, but your video convince me it is well worthy to climb! Thanks!

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

@@user-do9in8eq2y you're welcome. It is still one of my favorite hikes and climbs. The worst that could happen is you have to turn around if you don't want to do the climb. But definitely bring a rope just in case. It doesn't have to be a climbing rope, just something to give you a little assistance on the way down. 100 feet was just enough. I hope you can make it up. The whole hike is very fun and scenic, and the views from the top are great too.

[@user-do9in8eq2y]

@@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer Sure thing! I am heading to Home Depo now 😄 I am living in Houston, so kinda far. But if you know the good hiking place around Texas, Pleaese let me share!! Thanks!!!

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

@@user-do9in8eq2y try going to Big Bend or Guadalupe Mountains National Parks first. They are far too, but I used to make the drive from the Austin area a lot. I live in AZ now though. I forgot to mention I also have another video where my brother and I climbed the Organ Needle. It is in 4K, and you may get a different perspective on the climbing section from that video.

[@allenwright69]

Just hiked part of that yesterday... had a flight to catch so could not take the summit safely. Next time, though! Dripping Springs also has some good access to those summits to the south, in case you're ever back there.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Allen, yes it's best not to rush. Hopefully you can make it all the way up in the future. It is an awesome hike and climb. I do want to try some of the other peaks around there if I get a chance, so thank you.

[@ryanwaterbury7069]

Great video Zach. Headed out there in a month from Florida. Hoping to replicate this hike. Thanks for the vid.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Ryan, thank you! I saw your other comment on my alerts, but it didn't show up here. Anyway, I did the round trip in around 6 hours, with some wasted time going up to the top of the Grey eminence and also trying to go up the wrong route after Dark Saddle. Just keep looking for rock piles after you descend from Dark Saddle, and it isn't too long before you start climbing again. You should be good in one day, but maybe have a light with you just in case. For the part on the rocks, just keep your weight/body to the cliff and take your time. There are enough handholds/footholds to use. I did the hike again with my brother in July, and I made a video of that too. You can see a few other views of the cliff section. We brought a rope with us and used it on the way down on the hard part. You may want to bring a 50ft. or longer rope with you, and you can just double it up over the little tree above if you want to keep it after descending. There is a chance of ice/frozen precipitation up there in mid- November. Probably not much of one, but still be careful if it is or has been below freezing. It is a really awesome climb and the video just doesn't capture it like being there in person. There is also Baylor peak to the north, and Organ peak to the south of the Needle which you may want to try if you have time. I'm hoping to be there after Christmas to do Organ peak and some of the other ones that connect to it by ridges. Thanks again!

[@ryanwaterbury7069]

Dude, good stuff. I actually deleted the other comment because you answered my questions later in the video. I am out there in mid-November for work but made time for a day-hike in Las Cruces on Saturday while I'm out there. The Needle seems like the big-daddy hike in the Organ Mountain range so I'm drawn to it. I've never spent any time in West Texas or New Mexico but I'm looking forward to dry climate and cool hikes. How much of the ascent would you say is reasonably well-marked trail and how much would you say requires bushwhacking? Also, is Dark Saddle different from Dark Canyon? I know what you mean about not capturing it but actually, watching this video made me realize how damn big and prominent that mountain really is. Thanks for the vid.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Yeah, the Needle is the premiere hike there. It's all basically a trail (or the Modoc mine road at first). There's one trail that branches off to the left after Modoc Mine road turns into a trail. Don't take that, just stay straight, and then you will see the Yellow Rocks a little after that. Then it's pretty well marked with rock cairns. Up at Juniper Saddle, just go to the left and head uphill towards the cliffs to the north, and you will start to see the rock piles again. Dark Saddle is the top of Dark Canyon, just a little level section before it drops down on the other side. When you descend there, just keep looking for rock piles, and stay to the left. Even the 2nd time I climbed it, it still took a little time to find the way to the rock climb section, but just go up and if there are rock piles a little ways up you know you are in the right place. You probably go down about 50-75 feet in elevation before you climb again. Yeah, it's a great place and a fun climb. I'm from the Austin area but try to get out that way every month or so. It's so much nicer than here! Thanks!

[@dabiznisthecat5465]

Bring as much water as you can. 3L at least. Some of us have hidden caches of water for emergency, so keep an eye out there and you might find some water if you need it. I can't stress this water issue enough. Your coming from a humid area to one of the driest in the US. Just breathing will sap you of water. A few years ago a couple from France died of dehydration in about 2 hours. It's no joke out here, water, water, water. You won't be able to gather any on this hike, you have to pack it with you.

[@dabiznisthecat5465]

The Needle is the tallest peak, but I don't think it's the toughest. The trail is unofficial, but marked pretty clearly. Dark Saddle and Canyon are basically the same thing. You go up Dark Canyon, and when you get to the top of it, you are on Dark Saddle, or some call it Dark Notch.

[@noonster55]

I forget what it is called, but from inside the Missile Range, I use to climb this vertical rock basically 300 or 400 feet straight up, then repel down. Lots of fun.The repelling down part.. This was in the late 60's. Can't remember what it's called. Oh yea, 300 to 400 feet is also a guess. Seemed a lot higher than that when you are climbing up it....You should check it out. Kinda like a smaller El Capitan in Yosemite.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi noonster55, I think it is called Sugarloaf Peak. I know what you are talking about. I have it on film on my second Organ Needle video. My brother actually said that it looks like something at Yosemite too. That's great that you were able to climb it. I'm sure it was fun. Thanks for watching.

[@thomasbrooks2984]

Nice video Zachary. I lived at White Sands Missile Range for 3 years back in the 70"s . I loved the view out my picture window of the 3 Sisters peaks on the Organ Mountains and had often wished I could see what it might look like looking down from the top. I never made above 7000 feat hiking on the WSMR side, however. Your video finally showed me the view! Fabulous and thank you! - TOM B.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Tom, thank you! That would be neat to have a view like that out your window everyday. It's definitely a beautiful mountain range and area. I hope you can make it to the top sometime and see the view from up there in person. Thanks again!

[@noonster55]

I lived there too. 1967 to 1969. I use to climb up there, I was just a kid, lucky I did not kill myself...

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

That would've been awesome to have that in your backyard. It's hard to know what's doable or not until you try, but you made it!

[@tilda140]

what a legend

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Jesse, thank you for watching.

[@gabrielstauffacher1108]

Cool video, I was just out in Las Cruces a week ago and wanted to do this hike but had some family members who weren't capable. What time of the year did you do this hike? I may go back to conquer it but am trying to think of the best time of the year to tackle it.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Gabriel, thank you. I did this one the day before Labor Day, so early September, and then the second time I did it was in July with my brother. Both times were early starts and it never seemed to be too hot, although it could be. There could be snow and ice up there in the winter, and at least one person has died up there due to this (see some of the other comments), so I would stick to spring through fall myself. It is a great climb, and you should definitely do it if you get the chance!

[@ClaytonSensiba]

Could you post a link to the directions you used? Thanks

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Clay, here are the directions I used, and I also read someone else's trip report but I don't have that anymore. newmexicomeanders.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/2013-04-13-organ-needle/ Yeah, I think I overestimated the distance, but I parked very close to Baylor Canyon Rd., maybe only 100-200 yds. away. This was an awesome hike/climb!

[@ClaytonSensiba]

Zachary Teich awesome thanks! I've really been wanting to go hike it lately, now I'll have a good guide for it. Thanks!

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

You're welcome! If you climb it soon, just be careful of potential ice up there on the rocks. I think someone died up there slipping on ice.

[@ClaytonSensiba]

Zachary Teich I actually knew the guy that died a couple years back. He went to my church. Apparently he fell down a cliff and then when trying to get out he fell Again. They found him frozen with two broken legs. I'd definitely go in the summer and take a buddy. Thanks for the warning! It's definitely dangerous.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

That's very sad. Yeah, it is best to go with someone if possible. I used the rope since it was there. It was best to just use it and not even chance it, and now I bring a rope with me on any hike/climb that I think might have a potential need for it. It's better to have a few extra pounds in your backpack than to not have a rope when it could potentially save your life. Anyway, I want to go back there again and do some of the other peaks in the area, as well as re-climb the Needle.

[@brenthunsaker5243]

Was this the hardest hike physically you've done? Or where does it rank?

[@brenthunsaker5243]

@zacharyteich

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Brent, it's hard to say what hike is the hardest I've done. This definitely wasn't since it was a trail the whole way. This one isn't too bad, although the trail is pretty steep once you get past the yellow rocks. And especially if you take your time it isn't too difficult. I was more nervous about climbing then, so that was the hardest part for me. Thanks for watching!

[@ws6403]

This video does not capture the true essence of this death hike lol I am in very good shape and this whooped my ass every one of the 7 times I have done it, the last hour going up is some of the worst terrain I have ever been in.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi W S, it's hard to determine the difficulty of a hike based on videos or even what people say. I think going up through Dark Canyon is awesome, and the saddle is really neat. That's great that you've done it seven times. I have done it twice, and both times I really enjoyed it.