Native Plant Society of New Mexico Native Plant Society of New Mexico

Celebration of Our Mountains

This month, our chapter is pleased to
collaborate on two activities with Celebration
of our Mountains, an El Paso-based
nonprofit, founded in 1994, that hosts free
outdoor events in the Franklin Mountains and
Southern New Mexico.

Saturday, April 25, 2026
9:00 am – 3 pm
Oro Grande Mining District
Native Plants and Rockhounding

Join us for a day of exploring the Oro Grande
Mining District, where geology, mining history,
desert botany, and hands-on rockhounding
come together in a rugged desert landscape.
This outing is designed for adults and children
10 years and older who are comfortable
navigating uneven terrain and desert terrain.
Moderate difficulty. Participants will learn
about the mining history of the district while
exploring abandoned mining features and
examining the mineral resources that drew
early prospectors to the area. Along the route,
we will also focus on native desert plants,
discussing the unique plant species and
hybridization in this area. Rockhounding is a
key component of this trip, and participants
will have opportunities to collect colorful
mineral specimens (where allowed) while
learning about collecting practices and land
stewardship. The experience emphasizes
observation and respect for both natural and
historical features. The hike includes uneven
ground, rocky surfaces and steep terrain. A
portion of the trip requires travel on dirt
roads, making high-clearance vehicles
necessary. Carpooling will be coordinated as
needed from meeting location.

Co-Leader: Daniel Fox
Meeting Location: Circle K at Hwy 54 &
Transmountain (next to Lowe’s), El Paso
Total walking distance: 2 miles
Total drive time 1.5 hours each way
Carpooling info from Las Cruces will be
provided later