About Old Grindstone Mesa Trail
Old Grindstone Mesa Trail is a easy hiking trail near Ruidoso in Lincoln County, New Mexico.. Managed by United States Forest Service. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.
Photo by Jay Mantri on Unsplash
Easy
Old Grindstone Mesa Trail
Ruidoso, New Mexico · Lincoln County · lwn · United States Forest Service · T91
Old Grindstone Mesa Trail is a easy hiking trail near Ruidoso in Lincoln County, New Mexico.. Managed by United States Forest Service. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.
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33.31517, -105.69388
Open in OpenStreetMap5-Day Forecast
Weather at Old Grindstone Mesa Trail
Live forecast for the trailhead. Use it to pack and time your hike.
Today
Overcast
86°/67°
💧 3%🌬 18mph
↑ 6:17 AM ↓ 8:00 PM
Tue
Overcast
89°/70°
💧 4%🌬 20mph
↑ 6:18 AM ↓ 7:59 PM
Wed
Drizzle
86°/63°
💧 12%🌬 14mph
↑ 6:18 AM ↓ 7:58 PM
Thu
Violent Rain
85°/58°
💧 22%🌬 19mph
↑ 6:19 AM ↓ 7:57 PM
Fri
Overcast
83°/60°
💧 18%🌬 14mph
↑ 6:20 AM ↓ 7:56 PM
Forecast data © Open-Meteo. Refreshed every 6 hours. Always check the most recent forecast before heading out.
What “Easy” Means
Gentle terrain, well-marked. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Difficulty is derived from OpenStreetMap’s Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) hiking scale, trail visibility, surface, distance, and elevation gain. Always verify current conditions before heading out.
What to Pack & Wear
Personalised to this trail’s length, elevation, difficulty, and the live forecast.
👔 What to Wear
- UPF sun shirt (long sleeve)Cooler than direct sun on bare skin.
- Light shorts/skirtLoose-fit, breathable.
- Wide-brimmed sun hatPlus a buff/bandana you can wet for cooling.
- Polarized sunglassesCritical for glare from sun + sand/water.
🎒 What to Pack
- WaterBring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- High-energy snacksA snack for the trail.
- Sun protection (UV 9)SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm w/ SPF, sunglasses, sun hat.
- First-aid kitBlister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- Offline mapDownload your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Trail Safety in New Mexico
Trail conditions in New Mexico change with weather, season, and fire activity. Closures, washouts, and rerouting are common. Before heading out:
- Check with the land manager for current conditions and closures
- Tell someone your plan and expected return time
- Know your turn-around limits — conditions can change fast
- Carry the 10 essentials: water, food, navigation, first aid, light, fire, shelter, knife, sun protection, extra clothes
References & Maps
Nearby
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