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 Reporter |
Summary: From the start point, choose a direction and start hiking. I prefer counter-clockwise, but either way is good. You can follow the roads and trails around, or make your own trail as you explore. Kilboume's Hole is the remnant of a volcanic explosion crater in southern New Mexico. This crater is situated in a desert basin between the Potrillo (Po-tree-yo) Mountains to the west, the Rio Grande River to the east, and approximately 20 miles southwest of Las Cruces. Kilborne's Hole is roughly elliptical in shape measuring about 1.7 miles long by well over a mile across and hundreds of feet deep. The edge of the crater contains older basaltic lava, which was intruded by the volcanic explosion with pyroclastic ash deposits more than 100 feet high covering the basalt. Kilbourne's Hole has no classic volcanic features such as a cinder cone or dome-shaped lava structure. It is technically called a maar; which is a pit or depression caused by a volcanic explosion. Trailhead: From La Union New Mexico, proceed to the NW edge of the town. At the fork (31.95731 -106.66808), take Dona Ana County Road A-020 on the left of the fork. Proceed west on A-020 to the railroad tracks. Cross the tracks, turn right at the T (31.91800 -106.76050). Proceed NW. Cross two cattle guards, then turn left on the second road Dona Ana County Road A-011 (31.97116 -106.81930). Proceed west on A-011, pass the A-016 and A-015 intersections. Continue west to the hike start point. (Lat:31.95642 Lon:-106.95672) Trail Guides for Kilbournes Hole Loop: Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Horses, Ranger Contact: NO RANGERS! For emergencies contact Dona Ana County Sheriff at 505-526-0795 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Michael P. Olbrisch, who has posted 68 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by April on 2/2/2010 Great hike and very interesting rocks. I had no cell service so go prepared. I agree with previous posts about rain. It had rained two days before we went and roads were still very muddy in spots. Go when there has been no rain, and winter for cooler temperatures. Also watch out for rattlesnakes even in winter. We went Feb 1 and I almost stepped on one sunning itself on the black rocks. Otherwise very interesting scenery, and I will be back.
Reviewed by Thom on 1/7/2010 I live in El Paso Tx and just found out this place existed near here about 8 to 10 months ago went with a friend who is a rock hound and really enjoyed the hike. We went in the cool month of January and it has to be the best time to go found quite a few rocks but nothing of great value sill I enjoyed it so much we went back 2 0r 3 days later. I am not a Rock Hound but this will probably turn me into one
Reviewed by Hank on 9/18/2009 Don't try getting here within a few days of rain. County roads hold lots of water and are close to impassable untill drained. Bring lots of water, very hot even on nice days as the lava holds lots of heat and it is all around you. Also plan to visit the maar a short distance to the south. Kilbourne hole is on major flight path so lots of planes and contrails. Worth the trip. 
Reviewed by Louise on 11/27/2007 Kilbourne Hole was a destination I had attempted more than three times without success. I think it was the time of year: August. It rains in the desert a lot during the summer, which equals flooding. For those trying to find The Hole for the first time, take A017, follow it along the railroad tracks until you reach A011. This intersection will have a bunch of black stones covering the ground that you cannot miss. Take AO11 west for about 9 miles and you'll see a rise in the desert floor to your right. This is the hole. Find a SAFE place to park your car, and walk to the hole's edge. A few words of caution: it seems from all of the spent shells laying all over the place that people do a lot of shooting at Kilbourne. BE CAREFUL!
Reviewed by helaine on 1/6/2007 We made it after a 2 hour drive from the West side of El Paso. The hardest part of the directions were finding La Union. That took one hour from El Paso. After the town it was all dirt roads and we used the posted directions in addition to a detailed map from map quest. The trail head was difficult to spot so we parked at a logical location and began hiking. It took us 3 hours and 15 minutes with a few food, water and cell phone breaks at the higher elevations. The broken basalt with green glass looking crystals were beautiful. Several target shooters were shooting into the crater.
Reviewed by Fallon on 11/19/2006 I love the rocks, all that peridot, ended up not hiking much because of the rocks. It's a geologists heaven
Reviewed by David on 12/29/2005 Ha, I didn't follow the directions correctly and ended up at Hunt's Hole (south of Kilbourne) and I thought it was Kilbourne Hole until I realized my mistake after getting home and looking at some maps. Enjoyed the solitude out there ... I'll go back out to Kilbourne next weekend ;-)
Reviewed by Mike on 7/12/2005 Nearly lunar in its appearance and solitude, if not for the flora and bovine (cows) population. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: New Mexico Hiking, New Mexico Trails, New Mexico Hikes, Dona Ana County Hiking, Dona Ana County Trails, Dona Ana County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||