Trail Overview
The Mine Shaft is a short but exceptionally demanding rock-crawling trail in New Mexico's Southern Caballo Mountains, built specifically for advanced offroaders seeking to test their machines against severe obstacles. Spanning approximately 1.0 mile and descending from a maximum elevation of 4,744 feet down to 4,378 feet, this route requires highly capable four-wheel-drive vehicles, specialized rock crawlers, or built SxSs equipped with generous ground clearance and solid skid plates. The adventure begins immediately with a rigorous boulder field packed with nasty differential catchers that demand precise tire placement, steady throttle control, and an experienced spotter to navigate safely.
Beyond the initial rock garden, the trail turns up the intensity with a series of steep six-to-seven-foot ledges and rocky waterfalls that contribute to its challenging technical rating of 8. As the descent continues through the arid desert canyon, these heavy rock obstacles gradually give way to a more manageable dirt surface before intersecting with the main road. Before completing the run, drivers can stop to inspect the historic open mine shaft located right alongside the end of the trail, which gives the route its name.
