Did some off-road exploration and just playing in the desert with my dad. Had heard there was a natural arch somewhere over in the Doña Ana area but wasn’t fully sure how close you can get to it on 4 wheels versus hiking so we took a look. The answer is…closer than I thought in a Tacoma but not close enough. But with a little zoom on the camera lens and we were able to see it from a distance. So that’s neat.
Here’s a bit closer with the magic of editing/zoom on the computer. There are other guides and things online with routes to hike up there, this post isn’t for that. One thing I can’t find online is the actual rules/legalities of driving all the way up there…I think this is part of NM State Trust land, but the nearby Doña Ana peak is part of critical environmental concern and within the National Monument land – this is all to say do your research before going here and respect the land!
Those are some interesting looking clouds in the background…
Lat = 32.4500809 , Long = -106.8453751 -- Show at Google Maps