Los Pinos Mtn. Loop

From the entry in the northeast, we went clockwise. Eastern half of the trail is pretty easy going, manageable with any stock 4wd with a bit of clearance. However, the western half of the loop is extremely overgrown. Expect heavy pinstriping, even on mid-size vehicles. Northern most point of the trail (less than 0.5 miles from start if you go the other way) has the big rock climbing obstacle which is pretty much impassable to a stock vehicle and is by far most difficult section in an otherwise straightforward trail. Recommend going CCW to check to see if you can traverse this point if you are unsure, rather than going CW and having to backtrack the whole loop.

Started at 4 corners staging area, went down corral canyon road to peacemaker. Got about 1/3 of the way up peacemaker before turning around. Connected to go clockwise around Los pinos toward Espinosa. Trail was more mellow than last time, the V notch before the rock section was gone. Only saw 1 jeep on the trail coming the other way. Fun trial, decent amount of mud.

Going up towards the tower from the west brush was pretty tight one indigenous granite Boulder area mile from Lookout Tower Rubicon on 35 had no problem

Very fun at the end of the trail. The first 3/4 were just dirt and a bit boring. I struggled a bit but made it through on 33s with open diffs.

Went clockwise (the harder direction as you're climbing the boulders on Espinosa Trail). As always on this trail the brush is very tight so you will have pinstriping. My Titan Swapped Xterra on 35s was able to make it up the main obstacle on Espinosa Trail (without engaging my lockers) but our lifted Jeep Rubicon had issues due to the mud even with F/R lockers (briefly high centered) and we had to turn around (going downhill in the X was pretty simple)

Started off buckman springs towards 4 corners. Ran clockwise from that point. First 75% of the trail is a fire road (no challenge to stock vehicles), last 25% of the trail is more challenging, less wide, and rocky. Ran the entire trail 21' Tacoma 4x4 open diffs on 32's on mid travel kit. First rock step is more challenging and the second one is off camber. Recommend a spotter. We also hit a piece of bronco flats on the way up which requires a seriously built rig. Made it maybe .25mile before turning around. Couple dirt bikes, 1sxs, and 1 jeep.

This trail is now no longer able to fit a full size truck and anyone that’s worried about their paint shouldn’t bother. This has been seriously neglected and is so over grown most quads and dirt bikes will have trouble getting past spots. I tried to go clockwise around the loop, I marked the point that started getting very over grown putting nice pinstripes down both sides and the roof of my truck. Put my rock sliders and skid plates to good work. I was not going to try to climb the (stairs) a ran into without a spotter so I had to turn around. So as a reference, looking at my tacks (in blue) the marker shows where it got really bad and where it ends shows the rock stairs that turned me around. The trail is fun but in desperate need of an overhaul.

Most of this loop is pretty low difficulty and wide open. I was able to handle in a stock Tacoma 4x4. From the staffing area I went clockwise. Once you pass the sign about the prior fires it narrows and becomes more difficult. I got to a point just before reaching the Los Pinos lookout where I had to turn around as it was impassible with the stock vehicle.

Gate closed to long loop

Overgrown. I won’t go again. Scratched both sides pretty bad.

trail is overgrown in some spots so be prepared to scrap your vehicle. the drop off was difficult without a spotter so recommend you go with someone that can help navigate down or up.

I did the loop counter clockwise, there is a poorly maintained paved road up to the lookout tower. The ride down from the lookout tower on Los Pinos trail is manageable and has some great views. But Espinoza trail is way more eroded with bigger rocks exposed than the last time I did this one back in 2010. A few downed trees with near by rocks cause some tight spots. The main obstacle before the gigantic rock is heavily eroded with bigger rocks exposed. Bounced off the skid plates and rock sliders a lot on the way down this trail but made it through ok. This part of the trail is also overgrown so expect pin stripping. The last part of the loop is a mostly rutted out dirt road, and then it ends as it begins on a paved road back to the Four Corners staging area.

Started at the staging area and went clockwise ending with the lookout. Pretty easy until we reached the only real obstacle and then it was pretty overgrown. If you are ok with pinstripes it leads to an awesome view from up top.

Fun trail, 4x4 required. Some spots can look challenging but pick the right lines and you’re good. Watch out for bikes!