Pros:
If you're from lower elevations (like most of us), it's one thing to play a high desert course at 4 or 5 thousand feet of elevation, but you're getting a challenging disc golf experience when you get up near 9000 feet like here in Cloudcroft. You will want to take your time, breathe the thin air deeply, hydrate, and CLIMB ...because almost every hole here has from 40 to 80 feet of elevation change (maybe more!).
That being said, the disc golf experience here is nearly as rare as the air: understand that your disc will be beefier, but that the many (2,3, 6,7,8,10,13,15, and even 18) fun downhill shots they've got in store for you will more than make up for the lesser glide.
The rubber mat tees are appropriately sized, since you aren't looking at many (if any) true 'grip it and rip it' holes on this course. Control is the name of the game. But it's nice that the underbrush (weeds) doesn't usually grow thickly enough to hide a disc*. Keep an eye on anything that drifts into a pine, and you'll usually be fine. Most holes are in sight, and the tee signs (and fantastic 'next' tee markers) are very informative. I'd love to see more folks put in the extra effort to line the paths and fairways, plus let you know it's only 55' along - there – to get to the next tee.
Baskets are DisCatchers in good shape, and the green one is for warmup. The main attraction to me came right off the bat with the views from here at the top of the mountain, down the canyon to the west, and all the way across the Tularosa basin to White Sands. Worth the visit in itself.
My most important 'pro' comment here is the incredible amount of work, love and care that has gone into this course. Since you will be climbing treacherous areas, they've put in 'handrails' (sign posts and painted rebar feel nicely secure), and added rock steps, switchback paths, and even a knotted rope to help you, if you're, like me, not as spry as you used to be. I can't thank them enough for the effort of making this fun, intermediate level, multivaried course accessible!
Cons:
The main downfall at Cloudcroft is the strong chance that you'll, well, fall down, if you aren't extremely careful with your footing! The terrain is rocky, gravelly (sometimes trashy), cluttered (off the fairways) with treefall debris (*which CAN hide your disc!), or otherwise treacherous. There's a reason they've added so many safety features, so don't assume it's in any way wise to take the shortcuts that obviously are utilized.
Be aware that you are in some wild animal country, and though I didn't have any issues, you don't want to go startling any of the creatures (up to rattlesnakes) that may decide to make a home near the course.
The course flows extremely well in most places, but the obvious backtrack from 16 to 17 stands out as a 'one off'. Watch for large animal dung on the plains of 18 (do they show horses up here or something?).
Finally, I planned to simply follow my nose to find 'Mescalero Avenue' and go north from the village, uphill to the course. I was happy to spot a 'disc golf course' sign near the east edge of the shopping district, and went up that road, but never saw any 'Mescalero'.
Other Thoughts:
With two grandchildren living on Holloman AFB, we visit the area once or twice a year, and I try to get in a mountain course each time to vary the monotony of playing the Alameda park course over ...and over again. I was very happy to be able to get up to Cloudcroft for the experience, and want to thank whoever is responsible for all the work that's gone into it!