Sunshine School Road

Approach

Drive south on NM 11 from Deming approx. 8 miles to Sunshine where the Sunshine School is on the west and Sunshine School Road crosses the hwy. Turn east and proceed approx. 1.5 miles until the dirt road enters BLM land. Continue on the road another 1.5 miles as the BLM road weaves through scrub but almost due east until reaching the base of the range. This approach is almost due center in the range. Where the road turns south along the ridge there is an abandoned rock house. You're as close to the base as the road goes so park off road and a prominent west ridge leads up to the main ridge. The same 4 wheel drive road used on approach circles the entire range but is truly four wheel and rough.

Route Description

There is no trail. Basic outdoor skills and the ability to read terrain are necessary. A two hour scramble can summit the main north to south ridge. There are good 50-100 ft. rock needles along the ridge worthy of technical climbing (not rated) which some locals do. Also, some locals attempt the entire South Florida ridge from south to north in a day (anecdotal reports only).

Essential Gear

Very loose and large rock and desert terraine with serious cactus. Summer climbing means good boots and lots of water; there is no water on the mountain. Remember the local humidity can be as low as four percent so dehydration can occur without notice. Also avoid hyponeutremia (too much water without proper salt/mineral balance). Sunscreen.

Miscellaneous Info

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