Sage to Elliot Barker Loop

Dogs No Dogs

E-Bikes Unknown

A challenging route that starts and ends in Angel Fire. Get ready for a long heart-pumping ascent and graceful descents as this 16-mile epic ride takes you through the Elliot Barker trail, Woop De Do, and back out the Sage trail.

Either shuttle to the Utility Easement Road or enjoy this full pedal adventure. The trailhead is a bit hidden, don't forget your phone and the MTB Project mobile app.

From the town center, head north on Mountain View Boulevard until your first left, on a gravel road just before the Chamber of Commerce building. Look for the bottom of Sage to start on your left and get ready for a mile of mellow rolling terrain followed by steep switchbacks up to the Via Del Rey Road.

Turn left, and then take the next three rights onto Chino Terrace, Buena Vista Drive, and Bravos Drive. The next two miles alternate between steady climbing and mellow pedaling. Not too long after you've passed the north end of Via Maria Road, watch for a short steep road grade that is marked Utility Easement. You'll notice some rather large Water Tanks to the right of you (north). Here you'll see a gate to the National Forest.

Enter through the gate (be sure to close it behind you) and proceed downhill hill to the west (right) until you reach the Trail 1 marker on Elliot Barker. Turn to the right and complete a short steep climb up a section of singletrack known by locals as the "death climb." From the top, the descent to Apache Pass begins on some super fun and flowy singletrack that has a dash of tech mixed in.

From Apache Pass, keep heading north on a tame climb that will lead down to Bull Springs on the other side. At Bull Springs, look to the east (right) and you'll see another fence closure, go through the gate (be sure to close it), then proceed to the east for a quarter mile where a turn to the left heads back up another gentle climb. It's also possible to shorten the loop here by heading down the Elliot Barker Connector instead.

This is the last climb for a while, so get ready to enjoy a long stretch of downhill fun. When you come to the intersection with Woop De Do and the bottom of the Elliot Barker Connector, keep left for Woop De Do. The descents eventually fade away to be replaced with rolling climbs. Once you're back on the road (Via Del Rey) follow it down to the top of Sage for the final section of singletrack, that's even better on the way down. From the bottom make your way back to the start of the ride.

The Elliot Barker Trail was named after a famous pioneer who established many backcountry and wilderness routes in the state of New Mexico.