There are many hiking approaches to Escondido Mountain, a very prominent peak with beautiful views just north of Quemado Lake. No developed trails exist in the area making a bushwhack necessary involving steep climbs over loose rock. Perhaps the most direct approach is what we, members of the New Mexico Mountain Club, chose which minimized the hiking and climbing distance.
Take Forest Road 103 (aka 13) 3.3 miles east of the lake to Baca Road (Forest 13D) and drive north about 4 miles and begin your hike near Baca Tank at about 8500 ft. Climb up the ridge just north of High Rim Tank and ascend steeply to the summit at 9854 ft. This is about 2.5 miles one way. We descended a different ridge further south and found a fairly good trail leading back north to the cars. This made a 6.3 mile round trip hike which took us about 5 hours with lunch at the summit.
Note added 12/17/08: weeds19 reports that there seems to be an old road/trail that leads up the west side of the creek and then up the canyon to within ~0.5 miles of the summit. Of course, you are free to choose your own route. But plan carefully using a detailed topo map and be sure to mark the location of your car with your GPS !
By the way, the coordinates of the summit on the quads is about 70 ft. east of the actual high point. The cache itself is a green bison tube with a log sheet.
Please bring your own writing instrument. You could also sign the summit register nearby if you wish.
Congratulations to noshdoo tsoh for the excellent job of being FTF !