Trail Overview
Trinchera Pass is a scenic, point-to-point offroad route ideal for beginners and scenic tourers looking for an off-the-beaten-path journey between Folsom, New Mexico, and Trinidad, Colorado. Stretching approximately 44.3 miles, this easy dirt and gravel road winds through the historic Raton Mesas, offering expansive views of the volcanic fields and the north side of Johnson Mesa. The route features mild elevation changes, starting at 5,703 feet, climbing to a peak of 7,114 feet, and accumulating over 3,300 feet of total elevation gain. Any standard four-wheel-drive vehicle, high-clearance SUV, or SxSs can easily navigate the path during dry conditions, as it consists primarily of a bumpy but well-established dirt road with only a few mildly steep grades.
While the trail is generally rated as easy, severe weather can rapidly degrade the dirt surface into challenging mud, making four-wheel-drive and good tires essential after rain or snow. Fall is widely considered the best season to traverse this high-altitude pass, when changing foliage paints the surrounding valleys in vibrant colors. Offroaders often begin the journey near Capulin Volcano National Monument to learn about the region's rich volcanic geology before driving directly through the ancient volcanic fields. Travelers should be prepared for limited cell service and remote conditions by packing extra supplies, especially since heavy winter snow regularly closes the pass.
History
Trinchera Pass was originally used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a preferred route for cowboys driving cattle heading north. Between 1884 and 1905, as many as 2,500 cattle crossed the pass annually. Cattle drivers chose this route over the neighboring Raton Pass because its wide valleys provided ample grazing and reliable water sources for the herds.
