The Quebradas Backcountry Byway is a National Scenic Byway, starting north of Socorro and zipping through the desert down to Highway 380. Along the way, you will see a variety of desert landscapes, with rainbow-hued… Learn more about Quebradas Backcountry Byway
Total Miles
25.4
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Su / Wi
Johnson Hill Desert Exploration Route
The Johnson/Gordy's hill area is known for its extremes. Most people come here either to do the very accessible Quebradas Backcountry Byway or the more challenging climbs through the arroyos. This route is for those… Learn more about Johnson Hill Desert Exploration Route
Total Miles
7.1
Tech Rating
4
Moderate
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Pucker Falls
Pucker Falls is one of the longer trails in the area and offers several obstacles each with varying difficulties and optional lines. It has something for all hard and extreme capable 4WDs. It starts out… Learn more about Pucker Falls
Total Miles
1.2
Tech Rating
6
Moderate
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Bad Hair Day "BHD"
Bad Hair Day "BHD" begins at an intersection of trails most commonly run in conjunction with Hidden Valley. The trail begins working its way up a wash and begins to narrow with the increasing size… Learn more about Bad Hair Day "BHD"
Total Miles
0.4
Tech Rating
7
Difficult
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp / Su
San Lorenzo Canyon
San Lorenzo Canyon is a series of rock formations and canyons on the southern border of Servilleta Wildlife Refuge. This area features numerous hiking and camping opportunities in a unique landscape not far from Albuquerque.… Learn more about San Lorenzo Canyon
Total Miles
5.4
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Bosequecito Desert Crossing
This route is one of the many lesser-known desert crossing routes that branch off the Quebradas Backcountry byway, connecting back to the Rio Grande. The land on either side of this route is typically used… Learn more about Bosequecito Desert Crossing
Total Miles
5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Su / Wi
South Canyon Rd.
This is a scenic drive starting at Hwy 60 in the high desert. You go through a gate to enter onto BLM land. At the entrance, there is a sign that states "Primitive road not… Learn more about South Canyon Rd.
Total Miles
3.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Su / Sp
Molino Peak Trail
The Molino Peak Trail is a short, 5.3-mile route that takes you up past an old manganese mine (The Manganese Chief Mine). It winds its way up an old two-track that becomes progressively rockier the… Learn more about Molino Peak Trail
Total Miles
4.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Unity Mine FS 305AA
Unity Mine is a trail located just to the south of the Kelly, NM ghost town and southeast of Magdalena, NM. Rich in New Mexico mining history, this trail leads up a narrow mountain road… Learn more about Unity Mine FS 305AA
Total Miles
2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Riley CR 12
This is a wide-open sky drive that starts on the northwest side of the Sevilleta Wildlife Refuge. It winds around the striking Ladron (Thieves) Mountain. There are a few scattered ranches but most of the… Learn more about Riley CR 12
Total Miles
28.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Mill Canyon
Mill Canyon is unique in its quick change from low, rolling foothills, to a quick push of a more tree-dense forest road. During the dry seasons, most high-clearance AWD vehicles should be able to complete… Learn more about Mill Canyon
Total Miles
5.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Powerline Pass
A nice trail for beginners wanting a fun challenge. This trail is packed with rocks, washed-out roads and a few steep inclines to keep you on your toes. Go with a buddy due to a… Learn more about Powerline Pass
Total Miles
1.8
Tech Rating
4
Moderate
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Riley S. FSR 354
Riley S. FSR 354 runs almost the entire distance from Magdalena to the ghost town of Riley in the north. There are no large obstacles along the road, but there are sections of severe washboarding… Learn more about Riley S. FSR 354
Total Miles
15.6
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Windmill
This is a spur trail off Riley CR 12. It winds around some small hills and ends at a picturesque windmill, watering tank, and building ruins. The majestic Ladron mountains create the backdrop. Locals target… Learn more about Windmill
Total Miles
1.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Bear Spring
Bear Spring is overall a very well-maintained road with the majority being wide enough for two vehicles. There are no major obstacles along the road, however, drivers should be aware of the low-lying washes that… Learn more about Bear Spring
Total Miles
8.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Rock Spring
Rock Spring is a shorter out-and-back trail that pushes from the foothills to just inside the dense treeline of the forest with an elevation increase right at 700 feet. The trail is generally single-vehicle-wide with… Learn more about Rock Spring
Total Miles
4.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Jack's Valley
Jack's Valley begins on a wide-open and almost unobstructed two-track trail that gradually becomes extremely narrow once in the canyon. The beginning of the trail is a combination of dirt and rocks with only a… Learn more about Jack's Valley
Total Miles
5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Cerro Pelon Base
Cerro Pelon Base is only one of two motorized spurs that runs north of Rock Spring and traverses right along the base of the Cerro Pelon Mountain. The trail is primarily single-vehicle wide with a… Learn more about Cerro Pelon Base
Total Miles
3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Muleshoe
Muleshoe is one of the longer trails on the west side of the foothills in the area. The track is an overall well-maintained single-vehicle-wide road with room to pass if needed and will be suitable… Learn more about Muleshoe
Total Miles
9.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Council Rock
Council Rock/FSR 10 is a unique trail in the area, as it appears to be heavily and well-maintained. The trail will be easily completed by most high-clearance 2WD vehicles during dry weather, but due to… Learn more about Council Rock
Total Miles
16
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Valley View
Valley View is a spur that continues southward off of Muleshoe/FSR 234 and provides a great view of almost all the surrounding mountains in this area of the Cibola National Forest. The trail features a… Learn more about Valley View
Total Miles
4.6
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Short Wash
Short Wash is just as exactly as it's named. The very short wash track will take drivers over a very soft sand and shale surface through some great scenery that will easily be completed by… Learn more about Short Wash
Total Miles
0.9
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Arroyo Montosa FS 10A
Arroyo Montosa begins just over 2 miles after entering Forest Road 10 off Highway 169 and is an out-and-back trail. This track runs along the southern portion of the Bear Mountain Range in Cibola National… Learn more about Arroyo Montosa FS 10A
Total Miles
7.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Gallinas Canyon
Gallinas Canyon connects from CR 169 to Council Rock/FSR 10 and can be run as an out-and-back or as a loop utilizing one of two available motorized spurs off the main track. While the majority… Learn more about Gallinas Canyon
Total Miles
8.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Bear Mountain Foothills
Bear Mountain Foothills is a very easily navigated trail that is primarily dirt and has no major obstacles and will be suitable for most vehicles including high clearance 2WD but does appear to be unmaintained.… Learn more about Bear Mountain Foothills
Total Miles
4.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Buckhorn FS24
Buckhorn is one of several great beginner trails in the Bear Mountains area offing multiple surface types that will be suitable for most high-clearance AWD and 4WD vehicles. The surface varies from dirt hard-pack and… Learn more about Buckhorn FS24
Total Miles
3.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Little Rosa Base
Little Rosa Base follows the northern foothills and grasslands of the Withington Wilderness and is a point-to-point trail connecting FSR-549 to CR-107. The views along the route are mostly wide open and give a great… Learn more about Little Rosa Base
Total Miles
13.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
McGee Spring
McGee Spring is a fun trail for vehicles that can handle and navigate soft sand and shale. The trail connects from CR 169 to a mid-point on Gallinas Canyon/FSR 467 and has no obstacles over… Learn more about McGee Spring
Total Miles
7.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Gallinas Palisade
Gallinas Palisade treks along from the eastern foothills of the Gallinas Mountains, around the northern end near Gallinas Peak, and onward to the west, providing views of the Gallinas Mountains, Lion Mountain, and Madre Mountains… Learn more about Gallinas Palisade
Total Miles
9.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Wildcat Run
Wildcat Run is a combination of FSR-378 and FSR-378A that runs deeper into the foothills of the mountains to the west as it passes by Wildcat Peak to the north. The track begins as a… Learn more about Wildcat Run
Total Miles
9.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
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