This particular Brushy Mountain is located near the Arizona state line in western New Mexico, south of the ranching community of Mule Creek. My wife and I have passed by it many times on our various solo and together trips throughout the region, and it's an easy mountain to recognize by the presence of a large FAA geodesic radar dome sitting atop the summit. Brushy is the highpoint of the Summit Range and has good prominence, although it is overshadowed in grandeur by the huge Mogollon Range to the east and the White Mountains to the northwest. The peak lies in the Gila National Forest and sits at the southern end of the 'high country', in that the land dramatically drops in elevation toward the deserts below to the south. The presence of the FAA radar dome means there is a good road to the top, so we knew this would be an easy peak to hike and probably wouldn't require too much time or logistics. We worked this peak into a 4-day mini-vacation we planned for our 4th wedding anniversary, staying two nights in Truth or Consequences and a night in nearby Glenwood.

After our stay in "Torc" we enjoyed a leisurely scenic drive up and over the Black Range via highway NM-152 into Silver City, then up highway US-180 to Glenwood, arriving in the mid-afternoon. A huge thunderstorm had swallowed up the Mogollon Mountains in veils of rain, and we watched in amazement as lightning hit the ground, one bolt after another, just a short distance off the road - maybe less than a mile in some cases. We had sun and clouds on the road, so we were very near the margin of this big cell. In time we rolled into Glenwood and stayed a night at the neat Crab Apple cabins in town - beware - no television. The storms never quite reached Glenwood but we had nice clouds which killed the heat nicely. Our penchant for meeting friendly animals came true again as we met a local golden retriever, who sat with us for a spell outside our cabin, eagerly accepting pats and ear-rubs.

We slept in a bit and didn't leave town until about 9 a.m. local time. We were not too far from Mule Creek and Brushy Mountain, and figured a hike wouldn't take too long, so we didn't feel compelled to be moving at dawn to beat the storms. Even so, we were aware of the storm pattern that was here this time of year. The drive to Mule Creek went well, where we caught Brushy Mountain Road CMR (County Maintained Road) near the post office. We followed the road south through attractive hilly ranch properties, a mix of grassy fields and pinon-juniper woodlands. The main road is very well graded and easy to follow, sometimes crossing private property intermixed with the Forest lands (some signs seemed pretty emphatic about no trespassing, but the road is a public right-of-way, so we weren't bothered by them). The road gains into some more heavily forested sections of ponderosa pine, passes through a ranch community (?) called Pine Cienega, then comes to a junction with Radar Station Road. We went left - the big dome obvious above us - and parked at a nice clearing just past a fence line and cattle grate (here). It was about 10:30 a.m. when we parked. Beth was going to stay back at the truck and enjoy the day. As usual, we brought along folding chairs, drinks, everything, so she'd be comfortable. I got my boots on, packed some water and got moving within minutes.

I simply hiked the road to the top. The gradient was never too steep (maybe 10% at most, steep for a car perhaps), and the views were very nice as I rose, especially looking south. The route generally stays on the south side of the peak, then swings east before doubling back sharply west at the main ridge crest for the last bit to the top. The road comes to a clearing and turnaround at a gate below the towers. The gate was open and had been so for a long time - the road had been graded and the berms had collected against the opened gate, which suggested to me it probably hadn't been closed for years, especially since the fence to the right was completely collapsed on its side. There were two signs on the gate - one being the usual FAA warning about tampering with the equipment and the other about contacting an office in Silver City to 'coordinate your visit'. Other signs on the fence were unreadable and I wasn't about to lift everything up to see what they said. I took a break here then hiked up the last quarter-mile to the top. The main road makes one last tiny bend right near some dormitory-style buildings (no one was home, it seemed), and ends at a clearing below the main dome. Finally, there was a real 'No Trespassing' sign. I walked up to it but not past it; the highest nearby ground seemed to be beside the sign near some rocky berms, so I stepped on them and returned down the road to the bend. Here, I followed a scanter road near some heavy machinery up to a large clearing that looked like a helipad, directly opposite where I had been about five minutes prior. This area looked as high as anything, and I was satisfied enough at this point.

The hike down went very quickly. I should mention I saw what looked like a camera across the road past the gate heading up (I saw it heading down). Whether this camera actually functions and is supposed to guard against visitors is unclear. I saw no one at the top and no evidence of anyone being there. Generally peaks with FAA domes are not closed to the public - only the actual buildings are. I was back to the truck by noonish - a one hour, 40 minute hike total. Beth was relaxed and enjoying the day, surprised I was back so soon. The views had been nice but the air was very hazy with moisture, and some big storm clouds were starting to build on the Mogollons to our east. We were safe where we were, and so we decided to drive back up to the top so Beth could check everything out. We drove as far as the gate and stuck around for a few minutes, then descended for the drive home. I used my truck's odometer to gauge the mileage I had walked: 2.1 miles to the gate, then another quarter-mile to the top, for an overall 4.5 mile hike, with 940 feet of gain.

We have plans to come back to Glenwood in the near future and hike some more. The whole area is very pretty and very inexpensive, and full of things to do (or not do as we sometimes prefer).