Whitesands missle range

[wreckdiver45]

anyone near the Organ mountains in New Mexico near las cruces? I was given info many years ago by an apache indian of a place in the mountains that the apaches entered to escape from the cavalry. He stated that the natural limestone cave was tall enough for a horse and rider to walk through and went for aprox. 10 miles underground..is this possible? dont know either if it is on Whitesands missle range, could be but dont no.

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

HI: Yes it could exist. This similar to the limestone below the Basalt overlay at Tayopa. However I would wonder how they illuminated it in those days? 10 miles at a slow horses pace?

Tropical Tramp

[Blind.In.Texas]

Git 'er done.

Laater...

[ericwt]

wreckdiver45: I think what your apache friend said was likely true. Here is the problem. Part of the Organ mountain range is on the Whitesands missile range. Part of it is a State Park. Part of it is on private property.

It depends on where you are taking about. Also the area is full of abandoned mine shafts. Some are not marked at all. It would be very easy to walk right on top of one and fall in. Many have and over the years several people have died at the bottom of one of these shafts.

If it is on the private property area it is (or was) mostly owned by one person. He may not be around anymore as it has been quite a few years since I lived in the area.

I do not know what exactly you are looking for but remember the ground is Highly mineralized and very rugged. The main mineral in the area is copper. Gold is a by product of the copper. Placer deposits do exist but they are in small consentrations. There are geologic reports that will tell you of the area from the USGS. I think the Placer deposits are on the east side but check the USGS because I may have remembered wrong.

If you walk onto the Military area expect to be buzzed by Army helicopters or meet some rather unpleasant military types.

If you are in the Las Cruces area and know people around the La Union area close to the Rio grand there is an easier project that I am wanting to pursue. Let me know.

Good luck.

ericwt

[audigger53]

I don't know about White Sands, but there was an enterlocking cave system behind Fort Huchuca(Sierra Vista,Az) that went for over 200 miles that they could tell( someone said that they went to within 150 miles of Mexico City). The last group that went into them in the early 60s, never came out. After that the Army started blasting all the know entrances closed.
The Army post/Fort was put there to stop the Apaches from using them to go into and out of Mexico on raids.
It is amazing some of the things you can hear about when you talk to the right people.<G>

[wreckdiver45]

The map that was given to me showing the mountains and thier orientation in relation to the cave area encompasses a vast area. However, this particular part of the mountain is oriented 90 degrees from all the other surrounding mountains. The entrance is on the Eastern most edge behind a very large monolith not visible but from directly behind it. Keep in mind, the Apache claimed to be 105 years old and his memory could of been shaky to say the least. I just dont no if any or all of it is factual. I suppose if I had a USGS topo of the area, I could look for the particular mountain he eluded to but dont have a clue as to where to start. He also mentioned a sealed room which was used as a burial tomb for the chiefs, whether this is factual who knows. I dont no if there could be an underground waterfall either in this limestone cave as he said. He stated that I would know I was in the right area if I found old petrogliphs just to the west of the entrance. take care all

[T or C]

I live in Truth or Consequences NM which is about one hour to the north. I go to Las Cruces often and would be happy to follow up or do more research.
Let me know jwk2u@Yahoo.com

[cptbil]

T or C ;
Hi, Do I know you ?
I'm "Cptbil", driver of the "Big Yellow Jeep" ..
The " Yellow" , 4dr Jeep Wagoneer, w/small, brown, 4x6 wooden trailer .
Been around the area, off & on, for years !
Lived in Hatch, for awhile., worked with Gene Ballinger, treasure hunted with Jerry C. one of "Doc's Grandsons!
Oh!
Me n' Bugs....
Are, into TH'ing full time ...Have been for many years!
Our, Present site, is up "Long Bottom" Canyon, near to where those guys found the gold bars
Last year!

[Connecticut Danny]

A lot of great information.