Trail Overview

Forest Service road that climbs a wide loose and rutted road. There are many shallow ruts and a few deep ruts that must be navigated around if clearance is an issue. There is a very steep descent about 2.5 miles past the Santa Fe National Forest signs or about 0.25 miles past the rough parking lot. This descent leads you into a valley where the trail changes to a grass-covered and slightly muddy doubletrack. The end of this trail ends at the watershed boundary and is therefore an out-and-back. There are numerous single-track mountain bike trails off the sides of this trail, there are also numerous short pullouts that are mostly a dead end.

Photos of Arroyo Hondo Forest Service 79

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Difficulty

The beginning of this trail can be navigated by just about any moderate clearance vehicle with some care and thought, but past the rough parking area toward the top of the trail the trail is extremely steep and likely impossible to turn around. It would be advisable to scout ahead to assess the terrain before proceeding too far.

Technical Rating

James Howat

Oct 18, 2026

Obstructed

WashoutImpassable Water Crossing

This is still passable by a 4x4 up to the campsite at the top. When you drop down into the meadow it is fully washed out multiple times, often the trail is essentially a fully running stream now. You could probably do it on a an ATV or dirt bike but regardless of what type of full-size rig or it’s capability, it should be considered a NO GO beyond the top campsite. Even if you could get through, there’s no responsible way to do it. Furthermore, there’s no way this trail is traversible for the length that is depicted on this app. The endpoint is at the watershed line but it would be a very difficult trail even when dry. Unsure if it’s been wrong for a while or if it is the recent rains, but you’re not making it all the way to the watershed line unless you’re very good on an ATV or dirt bike.

Matt Williams

Jul 12, 2026

Open

Normal

Michael Sanchez

Jan 17, 2026

Temporarily Closed

Closed Gate

Steve r

Jun 15, 2024

Open

Normal

All roads past the parking lot area are labeled “no motor vehicles” so ride at your own risk. The descent after the parking is pretty steep so make sure you’re comfortable with a steep climb back out before you send it

Dustin C

May 17, 2023

Open

Normal

Alan Farris

Mar 13, 2023

2018 Jeep Wrangler

Seasonally Closed