Apache Gap 3.5

Apache Gap is a 3.5 rated Jeep trail across the southern end on the Caballo Mountains, ending at towers on the high point of the Caballo Mountains.

You can take a graded road from the towers, or you can finish the day on Palomas Gap.

We did the trail from south to north so we would be going uphill on the 3.5 section west of the gap.  

Much of the section west of the Gap is in a wash.  No scenery to speak of, just a fun rock crawling trail.  Not extreme by any means, but still challenging.

There are "extra credits" available for adventurous souls.

There is a GPS - gpx track at the bottom of the page.
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Apache Gap ledges
After the Gap there are nice views into the basin to the east.  White Sands Missile Range occupies much of this basin.
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Basin to the east
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White Sands Missile Range
Before you get to the towers there is a chance for a refreshing (?) dip in the pool.  Jayne spent time cleaning it out for the next in line.

The road to the towers also offers nice views of Caballo Lake.
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Cistern
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Caballo Lake
The towers are a great viewpoint.
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Towers
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North toward Elephant Butte Lake
There are three choices after you leave the towers:
  1. If you have had enough Jeeping, or you simply spent too much time getting up Apache Gap, take the graded road 1A Towers Road GP.

  2. If you have plenty of time and want to do Palomas Gap, take Lead Mine Canyon 3.0 to the Palomas Gap 2.5 Trail.  This connecting road is easier than Apache Gap, but still has a few obstacles and will take you about 1.25 hours.

  3. The connecting road called Apache to Palomas 2.5 is far easier and will take only 0.5 hours.

There are many easy roads in the flatter ground east of this run.  We did not explore any of them, but expect they would be alternate exits if you did not want to go to the towers.

Updated 2015.
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