RED

LAVA

CLIFFS

 

Welcome to one of the most unique geologic features of the southwest, not because it is volcanic, but because of nature's ability to carve out unusual shapes, giving this desert landscape features you usually find in caverns around the area including the world famous Carlsbad Caverns. As you can see from the picture to your right you can see carved features that resemble the Karst (cave) features of Carlsbad. The colonization of these features has been accomplished by a wide variety of desert animals including Rattlesnakes, Coyotes, Lizards and Many other creatures that are seen around desert years.

Once you look around the area you will be able to see many usual features including natural water catchers that the native people used to use to catch water with when it rained, which in the desert was not very often. Fact is in El Paso and Las Cruces we get as little as 8 inches of rain per year. Below is the road log of how to get to the Red Lava Cliffs, which are just south of Las Cruces New Mexico. Be sure to take some water with you and if you want to explore the area feel free to climb up and down the area. And explore some of the fascinating areas to visit in our southwest.

 

 The following road log will give you directions to the red Lava Cliffs just south of Las Cruces New Mexico. We will be starting our trip from the crossroads of Schuster and Sun Bowl drive.

 MILES - Total Miles - Description

  31.5 - 31.5 - Leaving the University of Texas At El Paso, you drive onto Interstate 10 heading west and enjoy all of the surrounding area until you get to the Mesquite exit (Exit 151). Where you will turn right and head into the mountains. The road to Red Lava Cliffs is almost 1/4 paved and 1/4 smooth dirt road, only the last 1/2 is rock road. The only thing I suggest, is that if you intend to drive the last leg of the section 1/4 of the section, you definitely need a four-wheel drive vehicle. No cars or short vehicle, the last section is however easily walked, so many people park at the last fork and walk.

   1.3 - 32.8 - As you turn right off the freeway exit, you head onto the roadway, to the Dona Ana public dumping facility along with liquid waste treatment. You are on the right trail, and you will pass both of these facilities. Follow the paved road for about 1.3 miles and you will suddenly hit a smooth dirt road. No turns just keep on going.

  2.1 - 34.9 - As you hit the dirt road you will be heading to a facility of some sort, however as you come to the exit, you will see the road veer off to the left and avoid the facility. Do so and follow the road to the left, the road continues to be a smooth road. Follow it until you curve to the right and pass a large liquid facility that looks like a treatment tank, at which point you will head over a small hill and start your journey into the heart of the Oregon mountains.

  3.7 - 38.6 - As you follow the road it will be very hilly and very rough although driving a car in this area is alright, be sure to drive slow, especially if you have someone following you. You will soon come to a large fork in the road. The right is a different geologic feature I will write about soon, that is not Volcanic in origin.

   If you have a four-wheel drive automobile with good clearance, turn left and drive the last 2-miles slowly as you will drive through dry riverbeds and arroyos. Rocks on this road are large enough to get a low vehicle stuck. Otherwise Park the car and walk to a wonderful geologic feature you can take pictures. One more thing about this last section of road. You must remain on the road, any off road wheeling can result in a citation or worse from the New Mexico State Police.

Please observe the warning signs

and remember other people

want to see this area

so be courteous and

careful

Special thanks to Dr. BETSY JULIAN and Dr. JERRY HOFFER

For their invaluable contributions and knowledge

This page created by Markus G. Boenisch.