"We rented a home in the Ruidoso, New Mexico area for a 3 night family outing with my wife, my son and his family, including 2 grandkids. Because of activities and work my 4 daughters could not make it. This was the first trip at least one daughter did not come. We drove to Ruidoso Friday evening. My plan was to get up early and hike Sierra Blanca Peak, elevation 11,977 plus 3 other peaks. My son was going to hike with me but was not feeling well. I left the rental home Sunday, September 1, 2013 at 5:45 AM. It was wonderful to not have too drive far. I parked just before the ski area at the nature trail parking lot. I was ready to hike at 6:25. It was a cool morning and it was still twilight when I started. The starting elevation was 9,400 feet. At first the trail begins to head away from the peak, but progresses in long switchbacks that rise on the northern side of Ski Apache. I enjoyed the switchbacks because the other option would have been burning straight up the ski slopes, and that can be pretty tough. There was a fire two years ago in the area and I could see the destruction as I passed through large areas of burned out forest. Only portions of the hike was through burned out..." — Phil-Robinson • Sep 1, 2013