Sierra de Las Uvas by Patrick Alexander

The Sierra de Las Uvas Mountains are about 30 miles northwest of Las Cruces and south of Hatch, NM. Hidden canyon is about 30 miles from Las Cruces. According to the BLM: “The area is a mountain complex of tilted, bedded volcanic rock. The western slopes are gentle, while cliffs dominate the east side. The landform is characterized by mesas, buttes, and canyons. The vegetation is primarily grasses and desert shrubs, with juniper on north facing slopes at higher elevations. Rimrock along the mesas provides nesting sites for many raptors.”

Location of the Sierra de Las Uvas Mountains

The range got its name (Mountain of grapes), because there was a single grape vine discovered near a spring at the north end of the mountains. The grape vine covered an area of one acre. Originally only the spring was named after the vine. In time the name referred to the entire range. The grape vine is gone now.

Meet at Milagro Coffee Y Espresso, 1733 E. University Avenue in Las Cruces. (MAP) Be there by 8 AM sharp.

The road to the trailhead is a paved road except for the last 1/8 mile. Have plenty of gas. Bring a snack and plenty of water. Wear good hiking boots. Hiking poles will come in handy on the way back to the cars.

Bring hiking poles they will come in handy on the way back to the cars. Have plenty of gas.

The first 1/2 mile is bouldering down the mountain then a easy hike for about 1 mile. Then some more bouldering then we will climb up a small cliff about 30 feet. This is the halfway point. Then there is a steep and rocky hill decent down and then up to the cars. This is moderate to strenuous hike.

This is a Jornada Hiking & Outdoors Club sponsored event cohosted by Celebration of Our Mountains. If you are a member of the El Paso Hiking Meetup Group, you may want to check Jornada out.

The video above is the same area as our hike but a different location.