Turtle Mountain Trail

This is a steep hike that snakes its way up the ridge from the trailhead to the peak of Turtle Mountain, which is also known as Caballo Cone. The hike follows the ridge of the northern Caballo Mountains along a rock formation called the Nakaye Formation that is a part of the Magdalena Group. The Nakaye formation was deposited in the Pennsylvanian meaning the rock was formed between 299-323.2 Million years ago. The rock was turned on its side (in some places as much as 65deg and 90deg, but even more uncommonly and stunning the bed is overturned to 75deg; meaning it is now resting upside down) by the hot springs fault that runs N-S along the western edge of the Caballo Mountains. To the east younger Permian formations (Abo: deep-red rocks, and Yeso; yellow-orange rocks) can be seen as well. On the horizon rocks of the Late Cretaceous can be seen as well but are harder to identify from the ridge vantage point. The trail provides views of Elephant Butte lake for most of the hike, and both Elephant Butte and Caballo lakes can be viewed from the Caballo Cone/Turtle Mountain peak. The little town of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico is a permanent fixture of the hike.