Initially I wanted to hike up the roads and ski slopes but there was very aggressive signage and the entrance to the ski resort so I stayed out of it and hiked up trails 15, 25 and 78 to Lookout Mountain to tag it and then across the ridge to Sierra Blanca. Parts of trail 25 had some deadfall in a burned area but only for a short stretch.
hgrapid - May 31, 2021 4:44 pm Date Climbed: May 29, 2021
Bear below the summit
Took the Crest Trail over Lookout Mountain and then onto Sierra Blanca. I was surprised to see a bear just below the final stretch to the summit about 10 yards away. After asking nicely if I could hike the mountain, the bear obliged and walked off.
xbaghat - Sep 4, 2018 10:03 pm Date Climbed: May 24, 2018
twenty-two ultraprom
...
Brian Kalet - Jan 14, 2018 11:49 pm Date Climbed: May 21, 2016
7 Peaks
With Lookout Mountain, White Mountain Wilderness Highpoint, Buck Mountain, Gallinas Peak, Monjeau Peak & Lackey Point.
Outdooraholic - Aug 2, 2015 12:13 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2015
Second time at the top!
Great hike! Had to do it again!
technicolorNH - Aug 28, 2014 8:46 am Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2014
Fantastic view
There were plenty of people on the summit register. Two hours and forty minutes up (which included the summit of Lookout Mtn) and two hours and twenty minutes down. The saddle ridge between the two mountains had a defined trail that keeps hikers away from exposure for the most part but in winter that trail must be a bit more tricky.
Pewma - Oct 15, 2013 1:42 pm Date Climbed: Apr 4, 2011
Sierra Blanca
The view from this peak is great. You can see white sands, el malpais, all the way down to Guadalupe Peak, the Sandias and across the basin to the Organ Needle to name a few. I recommend it to anyone in the area
Climbed with my good friend Robby. Great to be 19 in college and on an adventure.
Kicked up a rock on the drive to the trailhead and had to have my oil pan and transmission pan welded. Only had a gulf credit card and 10 bucks. Had to get past a "watch pig" (farmer's words - really) to get to a farm house phone. Got a ride with the wrecker to Ruidoso, hitchhiked back to the trailhead with two nuns.
Raccoons ate all our food. Didn't hang it in a hang bag like I had been taught. Buzzed by airforce jets on the ridgeline overlooking the White Sands. Less than 200 feet. Almost jumped off the trail.
Turned back in early June because of snow. Did not know what crampons were.
Greatest trip ever.
imike - Jun 15, 2013 11:41 pm Date Climbed: Nov 17, 1976
The Odd Way
Standing on the rear porch of my house in Ruidoso, I glanced across and up... to the Mountain. With little thought (too little?) I walked into my bedroom, stuffed my sleeping bag into a JanSport day pack (small)... put on an old army jacket... grabbed one Payday Bar... and headed out, sans canteen.
I wandered... young, dumb and blissful! Two overnights and a final push up through a too fragile snow field (kept crashing through... 6-8 feet deep!)
I'd motivated myself many times with the thought of having that candy bar on the summit, but by then... a bit tired and dehydrated, I forgot I had it. Was really disappointed to discover that the ski lodge was not on Sierra Blanca (who knew?). Made my way over there eventually... got towed down the hill and dumped off in the parking lot by some really pissed off SAR guys... hitched into town.
I knew that the peak was on Mescalero Tribal Land but from what I had read it seemed that hiking up the peak was tolerated if not encouraged. I decided that if I crossed paths with anyone who asked me not to make the hike or saw signs stating the the summit was closed I would turn around. I made the summit and descended a slightly different route than the one I used to ascend only to find signs stating that access was closed. I now feel pretty guilty about trespassing on tribal land.
twilly - Aug 30, 2011 2:10 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2009
beautiful view
Beautiful weather. A little windy on top but not bad. amazing view from the top.
CORBNICK - Nov 2, 2010 1:21 am Date Climbed: Oct 22, 2010
fall climb
Sam and i had a great plan, we were going to backpac up to the summit and stay the night, great plan till the 70 mph winds killed our plans,, we did drop out pac at the upper ski lift and finished the summit hike, My self was quite winded and wind blown, Sam on the other hand did quite well,, 12 years my younger. we had a great time, and enjoyed some great pizza that nite in town,,
Spent two nights near Ice Spring on the lookout trail. I got to summit on a beautiful day. This is a trip I will never forget. Beautiful views.
Koonsy - Jul 27, 2010 5:26 am Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2010
Great Summit
Fun trail up to the top.
davebobk47 - May 31, 2010 3:41 pm Date Climbed: May 31, 2010
Sunrise on the Ridge
Started early from below Lookout. Watch the sunrise from about 300ft below the summit on the ridge. Very fun climb.
strudolyubov - Nov 21, 2009 10:33 pm Date Climbed: Nov 21, 2009
Sierra Blanca via north ridge
Climbed Sierra Blanca via trail 15/25 and north ridge. Some snow on the upper ridge. 2 hour hike from TH to the summit and 1 hour to descend via ski slopes. Nice hike, beautiful weather, incredible views.
trailsprinter - Oct 14, 2009 3:50 pm Date Climbed: Oct 14, 2009
Autumn challenge
My second time on the peak and boy was it cold and windy! Great time to do this hike as the aspens and oaks are in their golden glory. Along for the hike was my oldest son Bobby and friends Dick Shaw and Larry Wages.
nader - Jun 1, 2022 6:21 pm Date Climbed: May 3, 2022
Sierra BlancaSee trip report. Up Ski Apache, down usual trail.
Jowzynkyn - Apr 29, 2022 2:12 am Date Climbed: Apr 25, 2022
50 degree temp swingPossibly heard a pack of wolves? Or at least coyotes... 6 hours 20 min C2C
bdreese2 - Nov 9, 2021 5:19 pm Date Climbed: Nov 7, 2021
Day 2 of 3 day trip - Windy - 23rd Ultrahttps://peakbagger.com/climber/ascent.aspx?aid=1800362
mstender - Sep 27, 2021 1:46 pm Date Climbed: Sep 24, 2021
Via Crest TrailInitially I wanted to hike up the roads and ski slopes but there was very aggressive signage and the entrance to the ski resort so I stayed out of it and hiked up trails 15, 25 and 78 to Lookout Mountain to tag it and then across the ridge to Sierra Blanca. Parts of trail 25 had some deadfall in a burned area but only for a short stretch.
hgrapid - May 31, 2021 4:44 pm Date Climbed: May 29, 2021
Bear below the summitTook the Crest Trail over Lookout Mountain and then onto Sierra Blanca. I was surprised to see a bear just below the final stretch to the summit about 10 yards away. After asking nicely if I could hike the mountain, the bear obliged and walked off.
xbaghat - Sep 4, 2018 10:03 pm Date Climbed: May 24, 2018
twenty-two ultraprom...
Brian Kalet - Jan 14, 2018 11:49 pm Date Climbed: May 21, 2016
7 PeaksWith Lookout Mountain, White Mountain Wilderness Highpoint, Buck Mountain, Gallinas Peak, Monjeau Peak & Lackey Point.
Outdooraholic - Aug 2, 2015 12:13 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2015
Second time at the top!Great hike! Had to do it again!
technicolorNH - Aug 28, 2014 8:46 am Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2014
Fantastic viewThere were plenty of people on the summit register. Two hours and forty minutes up (which included the summit of Lookout Mtn) and two hours and twenty minutes down. The saddle ridge between the two mountains had a defined trail that keeps hikers away from exposure for the most part but in winter that trail must be a bit more tricky.
Pewma - Oct 15, 2013 1:42 pm Date Climbed: Apr 4, 2011
Sierra BlancaThe view from this peak is great. You can see white sands, el malpais, all the way down to Guadalupe Peak, the Sandias and across the basin to the Organ Needle to name a few. I recommend it to anyone in the area
JRB - Aug 2, 2013 10:48 pm
1978- Greatest Trip EverClimbed with my good friend Robby. Great to be 19 in college and on an adventure.
Kicked up a rock on the drive to the trailhead and had to have my oil pan and transmission pan welded. Only had a gulf credit card and 10 bucks. Had to get past a "watch pig" (farmer's words - really) to get to a farm house phone. Got a ride with the wrecker to Ruidoso, hitchhiked back to the trailhead with two nuns.
Raccoons ate all our food. Didn't hang it in a hang bag like I had been taught. Buzzed by airforce jets on the ridgeline overlooking the White Sands. Less than 200 feet. Almost jumped off the trail.
Turned back in early June because of snow. Did not know what crampons were.
Greatest trip ever.
imike - Jun 15, 2013 11:41 pm Date Climbed: Nov 17, 1976
The Odd WayStanding on the rear porch of my house in Ruidoso, I glanced across and up... to the Mountain. With little thought (too little?) I walked into my bedroom, stuffed my sleeping bag into a JanSport day pack (small)... put on an old army jacket... grabbed one Payday Bar... and headed out, sans canteen.
I wandered... young, dumb and blissful! Two overnights and a final push up through a too fragile snow field (kept crashing through... 6-8 feet deep!)
I'd motivated myself many times with the thought of having that candy bar on the summit, but by then... a bit tired and dehydrated, I forgot I had it. Was really disappointed to discover that the ski lodge was not on Sierra Blanca (who knew?). Made my way over there eventually... got towed down the hill and dumped off in the parking lot by some really pissed off SAR guys... hitched into town.
Great Hike!
eric-griz - Sep 20, 2011 8:01 pm Date Climbed: Sep 19, 2011
Guilty feelingI knew that the peak was on Mescalero Tribal Land but from what I had read it seemed that hiking up the peak was tolerated if not encouraged. I decided that if I crossed paths with anyone who asked me not to make the hike or saw signs stating the the summit was closed I would turn around. I made the summit and descended a slightly different route than the one I used to ascend only to find signs stating that access was closed. I now feel pretty guilty about trespassing on tribal land.
twilly - Aug 30, 2011 2:10 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2009
beautiful viewBeautiful weather. A little windy on top but not bad. amazing view from the top.
CORBNICK - Nov 2, 2010 1:21 am Date Climbed: Oct 22, 2010
fall climbSam and i had a great plan, we were going to backpac up to the summit and stay the night, great plan till the 70 mph winds killed our plans,, we did drop out pac at the upper ski lift and finished the summit hike, My self was quite winded and wind blown, Sam on the other hand did quite well,, 12 years my younger. we had a great time, and enjoyed some great pizza that nite in town,,
MyLifeOutdoors - Sep 11, 2010 6:46 pm Date Climbed: Sep 4, 2010
Lookout TrailSpent two nights near Ice Spring on the lookout trail. I got to summit on a beautiful day. This is a trip I will never forget. Beautiful views.
Koonsy - Jul 27, 2010 5:26 am Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2010
Great SummitFun trail up to the top.
davebobk47 - May 31, 2010 3:41 pm Date Climbed: May 31, 2010
Sunrise on the RidgeStarted early from below Lookout. Watch the sunrise from about 300ft below the summit on the ridge. Very fun climb.
strudolyubov - Nov 21, 2009 10:33 pm Date Climbed: Nov 21, 2009
Sierra Blanca via north ridgeClimbed Sierra Blanca via trail 15/25 and north ridge. Some snow on the upper ridge. 2 hour hike from TH to the summit and 1 hour to descend via ski slopes. Nice hike, beautiful weather, incredible views.
trailsprinter - Oct 14, 2009 3:50 pm Date Climbed: Oct 14, 2009
Autumn challengeMy second time on the peak and boy was it cold and windy! Great time to do this hike as the aspens and oaks are in their golden glory. Along for the hike was my oldest son Bobby and friends Dick Shaw and Larry Wages.