Northern Pass

Recently constructed by trail enthusiasts, volunteers, and rangers, Northern Pass completed a link to trails on either side of the Franklins and allows for a large loop to be made via Mundy's Gap. The trail begins on the northern segment of the Bike Loops, where the latter transitions from creekbed to singletrack near a water cache. The initial three-quarters of a mile is on a former dirt road, steadily climbing the northern end of the mountains. A number of softball sized rocks add some technicality to the path. Just before the road turns north and ends, Northern Pass splits off to the left as singletrack and begins a series of seventeen switchbacks up the mountain. Sierra Vista West turns off near another water cache on the way up. The climb isn't particularly hard, and it leads to a nice view of the western valley and New Mexico. At the top, the trail generally heads east, winding along the southern side of Hitt Canyon. There are a number of short uphill and downhill segments. A connection to Sierra Vista Trail, just before the two and a half mile point, is easy to miss; use the GPS track and look for where the route turns from north to east above a dry creek bed. The trail continues much the same for its remainder, ending at Hitt Canyon Loop.