Hiking Sierra Blanca Peak, New Mexico

[@enes9828]

What a beautiful place

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Enes, yes, it's definitely a beautiful area. It's nice to transition from the desert to the mountain forests and fields, and eventually tundra-like terrain.

[@johncase2408]

This brings back good memories of a hike with father and his research friends from Holloman Base. If I recall, there's a view in which you can see Capitan. Anyways thanks! Love ❤ New Mexico

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi John, I'm glad the video helps bring back some good memories. You're welcome, and thank you for watching. NM is definitely a great place.

[@marshalldevargas1667]

Thanks for sharing this video, very Beautiful area.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Marshall, you're welcome and thanks for watching. It is a beautiful place for sure. Its been 5 years since I hiked it, but I remember it well.

[@DrBeauHightower]

Looks a lot like mount Taylor at the summit

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Dr. Hightower, thanks for watching. I haven't been to Mt. Taylor, but Sierra Blanca was fun, and a good peak to summit if you get a chance. It was nice to have the summit all to myself too.

[@johnabbot1585]

I grew up in Albuquerque. Went rio Grande high school. Started elementary, jr high annd high school in Albuquerque. Seeing your vidio is cool . bringing back memories. My family and I we've made a few trips to the crest, and sandia man cave. Then hiked a couple of times to the volcanoes on the other side of the city. Did some cave exploring. Lot's of memories. Thanks for your video. I live in Indiana now for about 30 years now. So it's been awhile since I've been back to NM

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi John, I was only ever in Albuquerque as kid, and I don't remember much about it. But I'm sure I'll visit sometime in the future since I live in AZ now. The whole area around Sierra Blanca peak is nice. I want to get back there eventually and hike some of the other peaks and maybe do Sierra Blanca again. You're welcome about the video, and thanks for watching and commenting. I hope you can make it back soon.

[@johnabbot1585]

@@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer yes that was awesome seeing that kind of country side again...cool Nowdays im in no shape to do anything like that. Days gone by..lol You enjoy.

[@mikemills69]

Good job. The Needle across the Tularosa Basin (Organ Mountain Park) is a satisfying day hike, my most difficult to date. Did Blanca from ski area lot...2400'.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Milton, Sierra Blanca was a fun hike. A lot of people were riding up the ski lift that day and then hiking the rest of the way up to the summit. I really enjoyed that area. I'm glad you liked the Organ Needle. I didn't really know much about it at the time, but I'm sure it's visible from Sierra Blanca.

[@timb9027]

Thanks for the video... Will be making the trek up next week

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

You're welcome Tim. If you're doing the same route, the Three Rivers trail should be cleared of most of the fallen trees, etc. As long as the crew that was out there kept going up they should have had it done by now. Have fun!

[@seanwallace6220]

How long did it take you to do this hike?

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Sean, I think it took me around 9 or 10 hours, but it's been awhile and I can't remember exactly. I didn't have a GPS watch then.

[@davidjones8330]

What was air like at top?

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hello, I could feel that I was at a high elevation. I definitely slowed down considerably on the final climb up to the summit.

[@bobgold1054]

Well done! Thanks for filming your trek... It's a beautiful hike. A friend and I did it from Three Rivers to the summit in 1974. Had another friend pick us up from the ski area, and take us back to Three Rivers. We only had sneakers and snacks, so there was no way we could have done the round trip...!

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Bob, thank you! You're welcome, and yes, it's definitely a beautiful hike. I wanted to get the most elevation gain out of climbing Sierra Blanca, so that's why I chose that route. That was probably smart to do it the way you did if you didn't have enough supplies.

[@JosephFrancisBurton]

WoW - impressive hike - especially after a sick stomach!! I have done Three Rivers to the ridge trail and from there there are tons of places to go in the White Mountain Wilderness including Nogal Peak, but I have never thought to try pushing it all the way to Sierra Blanca. Nice job!!

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Thanks! That was a fun hike, and the first I made a video of. I'm just glad I recovered fast, and I still don't know what it was. The distance and elevation gain wasn't bad, it was just the actual elevation that go to me on the hike. I struggled at the top around Lookout Mt. and Sierra Blanca, but it was worth it. I've looked at other peaks in the area and want to do more of them in the future. I like the whole are a lot, especially once I got higher up, with the mountain meadows mixed in with the forests and rockslides. I got the feeling I was a lot further north. There was a guy camping out close to the junction of the Crest Trail and the Three Rivers Trail, who was camping and hiking there for a few days. I'm sure there are lots of places to explore and camp at up there.

[@JosephFrancisBurton]

Yeah - that is a popular place for camping, and a couple of springs are in the area. I highly recommend Nogal Peak - it is gorgeous up there!

[@MiaMeezy]

I was looking for this on alltrails app. Is this three river trail? Awesome hike, cuddos, I’d love to give this a go 👊

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Mia, yes, it is the Three Rivers trail. It's been awhile, but it might be the only trailhead in that area on the west side of the mountain range. I'm not sure about that, though, but it was pretty easy to find. I wanted to hike Sierra Blanca from that side since it was more elevation gain. Thank you, and definitely try this. It is beautiful and you won't be disappointed.

[@MiaMeezy]

Zachary Teich thank you for the speedy reply. We are planning on this hike Sunday. I found the trails on Summit post. Org. I'm super excited!

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

You're welcome, and you should have a great time. I did it over Memorial Day weekend two years ago, and the weather was awesome. Hopefully you will get some of the same this weekend.

[@MartinParyz]

Very nice area for camping, would like to be in that warm climate now. It's very cold here in Utah. :)) Big thumbs up. :))

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Thank you Martin! It is a nice place to camp and hike as well. It's cold down this way now though (central Tx). I'm hoping to get to Utah in the next few years for some hiking and climbing.

[@myronalmeida904]

In Which month did you do this hike? Also I would like to avoid snow conditions if possible

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Myron, I did it on Memorial Day weekend in 2016, so it was the end of May. You may be able to do it sooner if they don't get much snow. I only saw a few patches when I did it, but I don't know when it's normally gone.

[@justineyohn6786]

Hey, I was looking into hiking Sierra Blanca, but was told it was sacred ground and had to get a permit, do you know anything about this?

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Justine, yes I heard that before I hiked it, but I also heard of people just going up and doing it anyway - so that's what I did. A lot of people were doing it that day, and as far as I know, no one had a permit or worried about it. I had no problems, but I heard recently that the peak may be closed. The peak is on the reservation, so you may be able to check with them, or the ski ground. Some people were riding the ski lift up and then going up to Sierra Blanca when I did it, so the ski ground may have info about it. Otherwise I'm not sure, but I hope that helps.

[@justineyohn6786]

Zachary Teich thank you for telling me this that’s good to know! I will try to find out if the peak is closed or not.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

You're welcome and hopefully you get to hike it. It's a really beautiful place.

[@Katmandu3232]

Zach, what an awesome hike! Thank you so much for sharing it. I grew up there many years ago but have moved away and haven't been back to see it for several years. I love that mountain and It is so nice to see Sierra Blanca in your video. Thank you! BTW did you realize that the white strip of land seen in sections of your video (eg. 8:58 and 10:32) is White Sands National Park? Next time you hike Sierra Blanca stop and see it. It's another absolutely amazingly beautiful place that shouldn't be missed. Make sure your there at sunset, you won't be disappointed.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Thank you Katmandu3232, I appreciate it, and that hike was really fun! The elevation and distance got tough, so I didn't get any footage of my final approach to the summit as I just wanted to get to the top! Hopefully you can make it back to that area soon. I haven't made it to White Sands yet, but it does look pretty neat. I was in the Organ Mts. more recently and it was visible from there, but too overcast to see Sierra Blanca. I definitely plan on going back sometime in the near future. Thanks again!

[@JerryWDaviscom]

I backpacked up that same trail in 2014. It was in August. Beautiful. Am planning to go again November 20th-26th and make some vids. The weather history says the average temp at top is in the mid-teens at night in November. The drive there from San Antonio is looong, 9 hours. But if I get some snow that would be great. What knocked down all those trees? Did you see any bears? I met a bear researcher in the mountains on my trip and he said there were a bunch of them out there. I did find plenty of bear poop. And the hike up with a 55lb pack was tough. I spent one night in a cave, which I am sure you passed on your right as you went up, probably within the first six hours walking.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Jerry, yes it is a beautiful area, and I want to get back sometime soon. I'm not sure what knocked all the trees down, but most of them were cleared when I stopped back in July to do White Horse Hill. Where was the cave at - on the Three Rivers trail or the Crest trail? I don't remember seeing it, but I was focused on the trail more than anything and making progress. No, I didn't see any bears at all, just the elk. That was the first time I ever saw elk, so that was neat. That would be very tough with 55 lbs. I only had maybe 12-18. I made it to the summit of Sierra Blanca in about 5.5 hours, and took around 4.5 on the way down. I'm from the Austin area, and I know about the long drive! I go out to west Texas/southern New Mexico pretty often though, despite the drive. I love it out there, and just getting out of the city! Thanks!

[@arcticgummibear4500]

bears live in them hills...nice to keep a 44 mag with you

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Arctic Gummibear, that's what I've heard. I didn't see any but I'm sure they were around. I haven't hiked with a gun yet, but maybe someday I will. I would definitely feel safer. Thanks for watching.

[@arcticgummibear4500]

@@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer I live in northern nm...and as I've gotten older...I've gotten more cautious. thks for the video...well done.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

You're welcome. I've gotten more cautious as well. There's a lot to think about and be prepared for, but worth doing and carrying a little extra just to be safer.

[@lukelozano4662]

Does that creek flow year round?

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Luke, I would say probably not. Lower down into the desert I think it dried up and wasn't even flowing down there, if I remember correctly. It was nice further up in the canyon though.

[@lukelozano4662]

Ok. I am going there to backpack in 3 weeks and I am wondering if I should pack water or just filtration and use water from the creek. Any thoughts?

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

I think you should be able to find some higher up, but have some with you just to be safe. Also, on the Crest trail, there is a little spring coming out of the mountain. It is right on the trail in a field, and they put a small pipe there so you can fill up. This is maybe around a mile south of the intersection of the Crest trail and the Three Rivers trail. A guy that was camping up there at the intersection pointed it out to me, and I don't think you could miss it unless you get off trail around there. Maybe check with the forest service to see if this flows all the time, since I can't tell you for sure.

[@lukelozano4662]

Ok. All I know is that I want to go up the Three Rivers Trail, but I don't know what to do from there. I want to climb Sierra Blanca. I'll be up there for 3 nights. Any suggestions?

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

If you're ambitious and in good shape, you can try for the whole hike up to Sierra Blanca in one day. Just beware of altitude if you aren't acclimated though. This is what I struggled with the most, and I really had to slow down around Lookout Mt. and Sierra Blanca. You could also hike up to the end of the Three Rivers trail, then go back lower to camp for the first day. There is a nice campground about half way up. That way you can acclimate more, and then try for Sierra Blanca the next day. Or camp at the top of the Three Rivers trail. It is 9880 ft up there I think, so if you aren't acclimated that may not be a good idea to sleep that high. I personally wouldn't do it. I didn't sleep too well at the campground, which is 6440ft. But I live at 800 ft. and just came up that day. So there was no acclimation for me. There are also a lot of trails that branch off the crest trail. Go north a little and you can climb White Horse Hill (just a little ways off trail) or take the trails further north. There definitely are a lot of ways you could go there.

[@phillipcase3860]

You walked into a place you weren't supposed to go. There are sacred places out there, places not just anyone is supposed to go. They wanted you out.

[@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer]

Hi Phillip, I definitely walk into a lot of places that I'm not supposed to go. I've gotten over it at this point. The workers up there that saw me hiking to and from the summit must have been intimidated by me and decided not to stop me, or even say anything. They must have taken all the "No Trespassing" signs down before I got there, too.