Apr 09, 2016 — Organ Needle is an impressive pinnacle, the high point of the Organ Mountains. This range seems like it shouldn't exist here, the jagged peaks hovering of Las Cruces, NM and mostly ignored by locals. The range seems to be used mostly as a climbing destination, but tourists come check out the historic stuff along the Dripping Springs Trail. The brushy terrain and lack of a trail system deters most from exploring the higher portions of the range. The standard route up to Organ Needle has been carved up well enough to provide a pleasant and somewhat adventurous outing, serving a great introduction to the area and allowing access to the high point. There is plenty more to see in the Organs, but starting with this one is probably the right choice. You can tack on Little Squaretop if you're so inclined, a more thought-provoking scramble right next door.
Starting out from the Fillmore Canyon Trailhead, I headed to the end of the trail where the Fillmore Canyon Waterfall serves as a turn-around point for most. After a short backtrack, a social trail leads up to the left bank of the canyon and above the waterfall. Past here the brush encroaches, but I didn't feel like I was ever actually bushwhacking. There were a few spots where I got turned around in search of a trail, but any time it wasn't obvious I spent some time searching and was quickly back on track. The route is fairly easy to follow for most of the way up with some attention and navigational skills.
The trail leads steeply into a gully with lots of tree cover before wrapping around to the summit's east side where the crux is located. Up to this point nothing has exceeded Class 2, but to gain the summit is a Class 3/3+ set of moves. Within recent years, a fixed line has been placed to aid in the short ascent, but who knows its condition when you get there, so plan on doing some scrambling. Past the crux is some more scrambling up to the incredible views from Organ Needle.
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