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A "super-fun, fast, and flowy" loop of trail though Arenas Valley.


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Map Key

13.4

Miles

21.6

KM

55%

Singletrack

6,599' 2,011 m

High

6,047' 1,843 m

Low

825' 251 m

Up

820' 250 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

10%

Max Grade (6°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Overview

A new loop for 2023 that extends the length of the course to 14 miles with just over 1,000 vertical feet of climbing. The new course loop runs clockwise and will begin and end at the old Fort Bayard site as opposed to the Forest Service Corrals access point. Additionally, the new course sports an increased amount of singletrack that transits both the Big Tree and Dragonfly sections of the Arenas Valley network.

Finally, this year will be particularly special as it aims to celebrate the lives of Martyn and Alex who were tragically killed in October, 2022 while on their way to a mountain bike race. Martyn and Alex owned Gila Hike and Bike in Silver City, New Mexico, The shop has been a long time supporter of various community activities to include the Tommy Knocker 10, Signal Peak Challenge and Tour of the Gila. They will be truly missed.

Need to Know

This is the 2023 Race Loop.

Description

The new Race Loop begins at the Fort Bayard Cemetery parking area on a short stretch of singletrack that runs downhill, in front of the cemetary site. At the bottom of the singletrack, turn left onto the road that leads back to the archery range maintained by the Mangas Valley Bowmen. Turn left after passing the archery range and take the dirt road over to Old Highway 260 and follow the trail down to where it crosses Twin Sisters Creek at the old bridge site.

After crossing the creek, turn right onto the singletrack and follow the path onto the Dragonfly Trail. Stay on Dragonfly and be on the look out for multiple creek crossings. The creek may be dry but following unprecedented amounts of snow during the winter of 2022-2023, all creek crossing will be met with running water. (Current as of March 20, 2023). Continue of the trail as it runs parallel and crossing the creek in multiple spots and transition onto the Big Tree Loop. Follow the trail up to the Service Corrals trail intersection and go through the corrals.

After passing through the corrals, stay on the Fence Line Trail to the far left. Follow the Fence Line until it intersects the Sawmill Wagon Road doubletrack. Turn right onto the doubletrack and in short order, you'll make a left turn onto a section of singletrack that will take you down to the lower section of Cornell Ranch Trail. Cross the creek at the bottom of the hill and turn left onto Cornell Ranch. From there, ride up Cornell Ranch to the intersection and make a right turn onto the Big Tree Trail.

Continue on the Big Tree Trail and cross the doubletrack. Ensure you continue straight on the singletrack however. After crossing the doubletrack, you'll pass through a forest service gate and ride the trail to the Big Tree Parking lot. At the kiosk near the parking lot turn right onto the Nursery Road trail and take it down to the Woodhaul Wagon Road doubletrack. Turn left onto Woodhaul and continue past the lower Cornell Ranch Trailhead and creek Crossing. After the creek crossing, continue on the duobletrack until you encounter a singletrack trail on the left.

Turn left onto the singletrack trail and follow it under a water pipe. After the water pipe, you'll cross the creek two more times. Stay on the singletrack until it encounters the doubletrack again. Cross the doubletrack and continue riding until you encounter another fence line. Turn right at the fence line and take the trail back up to the corrals. At the corrals, turn left onto the Watering Hole trail.

After turning left, take the Watering Hole trail down to the old pond and turn left onto a short section of singletrack that connect back into the lower section of the Woodhaul doubletrack. Continue on Woodhaul until it nears the cemetery. Do not go through the last gate at the cemetery, but rater, turn left onto a section of singletrack that connects into a section of path that winds around the old Fort Bayard nurses quarters.

Take a right turn onto an old section of concrete/cement pathway that ends in a short section of stairs. At the bottom of the stairs, take a sharp left onto the dirt road and follow it around to the right to connect onto the paved road and across the finish line.

Congratulations, you have complete the race course! Hopefully, you can complete several laps on race day. I hope to see you all there on April 1st, 2023!

Contacts

Shared By:

Christopher Bare with improvements by Kevin Quattlebaum

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 5 votes

#1769

Overall
  4.6 from 5 votes
5 Star
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Recommended Route Rankings

#44

in New Mexico

#1,769

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5,395 Since Feb 23, 2016
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Photos

The petroglyph that this trail is named after.
Jun 6, 2015 near Arenas…, NM
After nearly ten hours and seven laps, the race is near it's end.
Feb 28, 2016 near Santa C…, NM
This was one of many creek crossings encountered during the 2017 Tommyknocker.
Feb 27, 2017 near Santa C…, NM
Big tree trail, fun singletrack.
Feb 4, 2021 near Santa C…, NM
This section is rocky and more technical
Oct 13, 2017 near Arenas…, NM
The year round spring fed pond from which this trail gets its name.
Mar 25, 2019 near Santa C…, NM

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