New Mexico · Hiking

Yost Escarpment Trail

Yost Escarpment TrailPhoto: uıɐɾ ʞ ʇɐɯɐs, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
1.4 mi
round trip
55 ft
climb
4,676 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Oct–Apr
best months

The Yost Escarpment Trail is a short, easy hike in southern New Mexico on Bureau of Land Management land within the Las Cruces District Office. The out-and-back route is about 2.8 miles long, with a low point of roughly 4,609 feet and a high of about 4,676 feet, making it a gentle climb of just 55 feet. It is a simple walk that fits easily into a day spent exploring the surrounding BLM land. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the nearby Elephant Butte Dam weather station show April highs around 77°F and October highs near 78°F, while June and July average highs in the mid-90s and July brings the most wet days of the year. The Point of Rocks Trail lies about 8.4 miles away and offers another hiking option in the area.

  • Best time to go · Oct–Apr

    Best time to visit Yost Escarpment Trail

    Best months: October–April. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      57° / 30°

      3 wet

    2. Feb

      62° / 34°

      2 wet

    3. Mar

      69° / 40°

      2 wet

    4. Apr

      77° / 49°

      2 wet

    5. May

      86° / 58°

      2 wet

    6. Jun

      96° / 67°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      96° / 70°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      93° / 69°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      88° / 62°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      78° / 50°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      66° / 38°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      56° / 30°

      3 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Elephant Butte Dam, NM, 18.2 mi away at 4,571 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors