Photograph by Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument

From Las Cruces, take I-25 to US 70, head east up the mountains towards Alamogordo. After passing through San Augustin Pass, drive approximately 3/4 of a mile, watching for signs announcing Aguirre Springs to the right. Turn right and follow the road to the fee area, approximately 6 miles. From El Paso, it takes about an hour to travel there. Fee: $3 per vehicle. Parking is just beyond the fee station across the road from the trailhead of the Pine Tree Trail. This is a loop trail and can be hiked in either direction. The trail crosses two creeks several times. To the northwest hikers get views of the San Andres Mountains, to the northeast, White Sands and Sierra Blanca and east into the Tularosa Basin and Sacramento Mountains.