This peak is located in the Magdalena Mountains west of Socorro. To get to the mountain turnoff US-60 onto a signed Water Canyon Road. The road will is paved but once the pavement ends look for signs pointing to the Longmuir Research Lab. Along the way you will pass a sign stating four-wheel drive is required but that really depends on current road conditions. The day I drove up I saw a small passenger car as the road was in good shape. Be warned though, the road is windy, narrow in places, with some extreme drop-offs. Not for those with a fear of heights.
Another cloudy day which has become the norm this summer as an active monsoon season brings much needed moisture. This is a long hike, not so much due to distance but because of trail conditions and loss/gains of elevation as the trail goes up and down the ridge. The trailhead is located next to the Water Canyon Road at an elevation of 9850 ft. Italian Peak is 9052 ft, 800 ft lower than the trailhead. Trail 70 which follows the ridge to the peak rises to 10,200 ft then drops and gains over a half-dozen times finally dropping to about 7500 ft just below Italian Peak. The trail is fine for several miles but then becomes less obvious and rocky. Sticking to the ridge line is best when the trail fades as the hiker will again pickup the trail. The one way hike to the mountain, the loss of elevation totals almost 2000 ft and gains over 1500 ft. And if you add in doing Timber Peak since its along the way as I did the total gain for the hike is around 4000 ft. Italian Peak does have a summit log, placed in 2011 by Guy D who has done the peak several times. The log is located in a jar at the base of the summit cairn. Views from the peak are limited to the south and west. Lots of wildflowers along the trail.