El Puertecito Pass

Trail Overview

El Puertecito Pass is an out-and-back trail that tracks through a moderate portion of the Arroyo del Cobre before passing between the El Puertecito Pass at the base of the two taller peaks in the area and eventually ends at a private land boundary. Starting on a primarily dirt surface single vehicle wide two-track, this changes after a short distance as it turns into the softer sandy arroyo that has an abundance of loose rocks, some of which can be up to 2 feet in size. There are a few short steeper grades as the trail continues to wind through the lowland area, as well as several sections of rutting and off-camber sections that are complemented with some small washes and spots of erosion. There are a few spots with larger rock gardens that give a pleasant interruption to the sandy arroyo, but do not pose any notable obstacle, as they are all surface grade height. This area does show significant signs of water flow and should be approached carefully after rains, as the surface can also be extremely muddy and soft with few terrain features for emergency winching if needed. Cell service is weak in the area, so offline maps are highly recommended. Dispersed camping is permitted with the exception of the first tenth of a mile due to the proximity of a public school. The views are wide and vast, and give an amazing view of the arid desert and its contrasting colors and the surrounding mesas.

Photos of El Puertecito Pass

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Difficulty

There are larger loose rocks throughout the trail, many of which can be up to 24 inches in size. There are also several smaller rock gardens in between the soft sandy wash of the arroyo. Drivers will encounter a few short, steep grade climbs and drops coming in and out of the arroyo and other washes in the area. Rutting and off-camber sections will be abundant and prone to changing after rains, as the area shows significant signs of water flow.

Technical Rating

El Puertecito Pass can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV
• SxS (60")
• ATV (50")
• Dirt Bike