Mesa de Anguila Backcountry Trail

Mesa de Anguila rises like a fortress from the Chihuahuan Desert floor, its volcanic cap rock creating a natural table surrounded by sheer cliffs. This gnarly BLM route climbs the back side through a maze of arroyos and loose rock shelves before gaining the mesa top at 5,200 feet. The track follows ancient cattle paths and mining roads through fields of barrel cactus and ocotillo, with the technical challenge coming from exposed bedrock sections where one mistake sends you tumbling into the desert below.

Expert-level driving skills required with rock sliders mandatory and a full recovery kit non-negotiable. The route demands precise line choice and momentum management over loose volcanic scree. Winter offers the only comfortable temperatures, though spring brings desert wildflowers if you can time the rare rains. No water available and the nearest services are in Truth or Consequences, 40 miles away. The reward is camping on the mesa rim with 360-degree views from the Rio Grande to the Black Range, plus solitude that few ever experience.