To reach the trailhead, take Hwy 48 north out of Ruidoso approximately 6 miles to the junction with Hwy 532 in Alto. Turn left onto Hwy 532 and go approximately 12 miles to the trailhead located at the entrance to Ski Apache. The road is narrow and winds considerably, but is paved the entire way.

The hike starts on United States Forest Service (USFS) Trail 15 which is named the "Scenic Trail" on the USFS topographic map. Trail 15 climbs approximately 350 feet over a distance of 1/2 mile to the intersection with Trail 25 (Crest Trail). Proceed west on Trail 25.

After proceeding for about 1/2 mile, the trail crosses a ravine with a small spring. This spring typically discharges less than 1/2 gpm and can be intermittent.

The trail climbs steadily over the next mile and a half with 3 long switchbacks to the intersection with USFS Trail 78. The dominant trees in this area are Douglas fir, subalpine fir and Englemann spruce.

Just before the intersection with Trail 78, Trail 25 emerges from the timber and crosses an open meadow. This meadow is an excellent place to catch a glimpse of an elk or deer feeding on the ski runs across the canyon at Ski Apache. The best times for a chance of seeing game are the early morning and late afternoon.

Turn left onto Trail 78, which is not marked, and drop downhill to Ice Spring, which has a sign marking it. During wet seasons, Ice Spring discharges greater than 5 gpm and is generally perennial except during extended drought periods. Ice Spring is the only reliable location to obtain water on this hike.

Continue south on Trail 78, climbing approximately 1,000 feet over 3/4 mile, to the summit of Lookout Mountain at 11,580 feet. Lookout Mountain is the highest point in the Lincoln National Forest. The view to the south is of Sierra Blanca which towers to over 12,000 feet on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation. To the west, the floor of the Tularosa Basin sits over 5,000 feet below Lookout Mountain. White Sands and the Malpais Lava Flow can be seen on the floor of the Basin. The view to the north is of the Sacramento Mountains comprising the White Mountain Wilderness Area. To the northeast, the Capitan Mountains highlight the distant skyline. If this view doesn't do anything for you I would suggest checking to see if you still have a pulse.

The return hike begins by retracing the route back down Trail 78. After proceeding approximately 1/2 mile back down the trail, an unmarked secondary trail cuts off to the left and stays on the main ridge. Turn left on this trail and go about 75 yards to a prospect pit located next to the trail. The shallow pit was excavated in a limonite outcrop in a search for molybdenum during the early 1960's. The rocks of the Lookout Mountain area are part of a 25 million year old plutonic intrusion called the Three Rivers Stock.

Continue northeast along the ridge on the secondary trail for another 1/4 mile until it intersects with Trail 25. This intersection is marked with a sign. The best camping places are located on the ridge in this area because it is one of the few places with enough horizontal real estate to pitch a tent. It's also only 1/4 mile from a water source at Ice Spring.

Turn right (east) onto Trail 25 and proceed 1/4 mile downhill back to Ice Spring. Continue downhill (east) on Trail 25 back to the Trailhead to conclude the hike.

The upper portion of this hike is above the timberline and consequently you are exposed to the elements. Lightning from thunderstorms is an eminent danger in this area. Do not let yourself get caught on Lookout Mountain with thunderstorms developing.

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