Pecos Wilderness-Pecos Baldy Lake and Cave Creek.

To beat the West Texas heat I drove to Northern New Mexico for a quick trip in the Pecos Wilderness. With a highpoint of 11,840 feet and the July monsoon weather bring daily rain this trip was a nice departure from the triple digit temps in Texas.

Starting from the Jacks Creek Trailhead I climbed to Pecos Baldy Lake and set up camp in time to escape an afternoon thunderstorm. On day two, what I expected to be a leisurely but long 12-mile downhill climb turned into a marathon of climbing over and under downed trees from the fires a few years ago. Near the end of the hike, I explored the caves of cave creek and ended the trip hiking in a downpour.

Trails used.
Day 1
Beattys Trail #25
Jacks Creek Trail #257
Total 7 miles 2,652’ elevation gain

Day 2
Skyline Trail #251
Cave Creek Trail #288
Pecos River Trail #397
Total 13 miles 1,387’ elevation gain and 4,039’ loss.