Trail Overview

GRT/FS201: Guadalupe Rim Trail is an extremely rocky trail featuring large rock gardens, areas with large loose rocks, heavy brush and overgrowth and spectacular views. Obstacles can be in excess of 20" with various lines to choose from in certain areas. Portions of the out and back trail feature steep grades of 15% or more. Loose rocks can be found throughout and even in some off-camber sections towards the eastern portion with many of them being large and sharp. The trail is primarily single vehicle wide with only a few areas offering room to pass. The Dark Canyon Lookout Observation Site can be found approximately 6 miles in from the start of the trail, and is a great piece of history. The area at the observation tower provides wide open views. Towards the eastern end of the trail, brush overgrowth is heavy and no sign of maintenance present. The last section of the trail, approx. 1 mile from the end, will be extremely difficult to complete due to what appears to be a washout on an extremely steep decent. The downward slope is approximately 21%-22% grade with a rock formation that is sheer-faced and over 30 inches in height from its base. The surface on this portion is extremely loose rock with very large obstacles and should only be attempted by very heavily modified vehicles.

Photos of GRT/FS201: Guadalupe Rim Trail

Want to see more?
View All Photos

Difficulty

Youll find obstacles in excess of 20", large loose rocks, steep grades and very rocky surface. The trail is slightly off camber sections on loose rocks and thick brush.

Technical Rating

Michael Flowers

Jun 06, 2025

Open

We both had 5th gen 4Runners, 3” lift and 33” tires, recently installed skid plates and rock sliders, well this trail was super rough and not terribly technical, we probably did about 90% before leaving out due to the length of time it took us and where we needed to get too. Both of us were running Toyo tires, Open Country RT’s and RT Trails, we were running about 16 psi of air, I probably needed to go even lower, I noticed a few chipping that happened on my tires (RT Trails) my buddies didn’t seem to do that. One thing I would give as advice is if you don’t have a thick sidewall and tire rated for this kind of stuff I would not recommend going down this. Even though we had good tires I really felt one of us would have had a failure due to the sharp rocks. We never saw anyone on this trail. We came in from scenic drive, that first 3 miles is terrible rocks. When you get to the lookout tower, this is the road to leave out

Tom Kirchoff

Apr 20, 2025

Open

Fun at first then just rough. Then more of the same. Some good climbs and lots of ledges. But mainly rough 12" square sharp rocks spaced just far enough apart to beat the hell out of you. Its a long trail at 3 mph. nothing but an endurance test. All pretty much the same rocks. Once you get to lookout rd its way better. Find your way out down that. There is a lookout station halfway. The 360 degree views are amazing. Not worth coming in off scenic rd. Come Thru lincoln canyon. Also the private land at the end of lookout rd has a locked gate, so you have to go around. that drive however is sweet!

Jered Sellers

Oct 19, 2024

Open

We were on BMW 1250 GS/GSA bikes. I just came off the AZ BDR and part of the UT BDR. There were moderately difficult trails on the AZ BDR, but nothing as difficult as this trail. I have also previously completed many offroad trails in NM and CO in stock Rubicons and 4x4 pickups. I think it would be very difficult for a stock Rubicon with average driving abilities to complete this trail due to a couple of spots. There were a handful of places that large boulders / ledges were exposed that were 3' or more in height. One ledge was about a 4 foot steep uphill grade on exposed ledges and boulders. This was at the very limit of my ADV Bike abilities. It was a ton of fun but also a lot of work. We took it slow and easy taking about 3 hours to complete the trail beginning at FS 540 (Scenic Drive) and exiting the trail at FS 69A (Lookout Road).