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The Spire

New Mexico > Las Cruces Area… > Organ Mountains > High Horns
Warning Access Issue: Power drilling is prohibited in the Organ Mountains Wilderness. DetailsDrop down

Description

This sharp peak at the north end of the "high horns of the Organs" is a beautiful piece of stone. It towers above the low-horns and provides a spectacular view northward, over the the aforementioned horns and across the Rabbit Ears group. Most of the recorded routes are on the northern faces, which are slabby and cool, getting a good deal of shade throughout the day. The north facing aspect also means a fair share of lichen, which detracts somewhat from the climbing. Perhaps if the routes were climbed more frequently, this would clean up, but it appears that this peak is not as often climbed as it once was back in the days of the Southwest Mountaineers Club.

From the petite summit ridge, Razorback looms massive to the south. On it's northern shoulder, rests a distinct 60ft tall tower dubbed "The Spike". There is even a small bivy platform and fire-pit on the saddle between The Spire and Low Horn #6, enticing climbers to spend a night in this secluded an peaceful setting.

Getting There

The approach mainly consists of getting to the saddle between The Spire and Low Horn #6. This can be accomplished from either direction;

From the east, take the Pine Tree Trail from Aguirre Springs. Make sure to take the northern fork (right-hand) of the loop trail. Continue up the trail until it crosses a large gully which leads directly up to the saddle between The Spire and Low Horn #6. This gully was the source of a huge rock-slide in 1991 which destroyed much of the camp-ground. It is mostly brush-free and can be scrambled up easily.

From the west, the Ingraham guide describes approaching from the Topp Hut, by striking out over the desert directly behind the hut, climbing some kind of "welt" up to the slabs below Low Horn #6. From what I've heard, this approach requires lots of bushwhacking through some of the areas most insidious flora.

Routes from Left to Right

5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 4
Normal Route
Trad
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 2
North Face Direct
Trad 4 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 1
South Face
Trad 2 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Normal Route
 4
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
North Face Direct
 2
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad 4 pitches
South Face
 1
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 2 pitches

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Looking north from the summit of the Spire
[Hide Photo] Looking north from the summit of the Spire
The Spire viewed from the Pine tree Trail (from the east). The Spike is clearly identifiable. Low Horn #6 is on the right.
[Hide Photo] The Spire viewed from the Pine tree Trail (from the east). The Spike is clearly identifiable. Low Horn #6 is on the right.