Thousands of Borderland residents are expected to stream up Mount Cristo Rey on Saturday for the annual pilgrimage, a tradition that sends families and worshippers climbing toward the 29‑foot Christ statue that crowns the Sunland Park ridge. Gates open at 7 a.m., and by midmorning the steep, winding trail is typically packed with walkers treating the ascent as a seasonal ritual of prayer, reflection, and community that unites El Paso, Las Cruces, and Juárez.
According to KVIA, volunteers and local law enforcement will be posted along the route to help manage traffic and assist pilgrims on the way up. The station notes that the pilgrimage typically lands near Thanksgiving and that gates will open at 7 a.m. to kick off the procession. Organizers are warning attendees to expect tight parking conditions and possible delays getting into the trailhead area.
The Mount Cristo Rey Restoration Committee is advising pilgrims to show up prepared: sturdy shoes, layered clothing, and plenty of water are all on the list. The committee describes the walk as roughly a five‑mile round trip and directs groups to gather at the large parking lot at the trailhead off McNutt Road (NM‑273). In recent years, the committee notes, the pilgrimage date has been shifted to line up with the Feast of Christ the King and now generally falls close to Thanksgiving.
The climb has long been a fixture of the region’s Catholic calendar, pulling worshippers from both sides of the Rio Grande for decades. As reported by KRWG, major anniversary years have drawn especially large crowds to the mountain. The summit’s 29‑foot statue was carved by Spanish sculptor Urbici Soler, according to Wikipedia, and has become a defining symbol for many of the region’s faithful.
A federal proposal to install a barrier along the southern flank of Mount Cristo Rey has stirred concern this year among conservation advocates and church leaders, who argue the project could restrict access and damage fragile habitat. The Journal reported that U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s plan includes new roadway work and a stretch of barrier, and that opponents have encouraged the public to submit comments during the review process. Organizers say the mountain’s cultural and spiritual importance for pilgrims needs to be weighed alongside border security goals.
