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Gila singletrack with a petroglyph surprise!


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Map Key

3.6

Miles

5.7

KM

95%

Singletrack

6,275' 1,913 m

High

6,124' 1,867 m

Low

201' 61 m

Up

200' 61 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

10%

Max Grade (6°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Overview

This is a nice, quick singletrack loop on the edge of the Fort Bayard Trail system. Be sure to check out the Petroglyph along the way!

Need to Know

Turn off of Highway 180/Silver Heights Blvd onto Arenas Valley Road. Head up Arenas Valley Road until you see the large and well-marked parking lot for the Arenas Valley/Fort Bayard trailhead.From the parking lot stay on the Dragonfly Loop #720 Trail.

Description

The trail is singletrack with a few climbs and scattered descents with small drops. It also includes a few loose areas of dirt and sand along with an occasional creek crossing. However, water may not always be present in the creek beds.

Be on the look out for Native American petroglyphs that are near the trail. In particular, a "dragonfly" petroglyph can be seen. There are also several other trails and loops in this area and it can be easy to get turned around or off course. Use the MTB Project mobile app for reference if necessary. Be on the lookout for hikers and horseback riders as this is a popular trail in the Silver City area.

History & Background

This is a network of trails near Fort Bayard a historic Army fort and military hospital. A veterans cemetery is located near the trailhead on Fort Bayard. Native American petroglyphs also highlight this trail.

Contacts

Shared By:

Christopher Bare

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 9 votes

#1920

Overall
  4.3 from 9 votes
5 Star
67%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#49

in New Mexico

#1,920

Overall
15 Views Last Month
2,842 Since Jun 5, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

33%
22%
44%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

The petroglyph that this trail is named after.
Jun 6, 2015 near Arenas…, NM
Nice smooth start to the ride
Oct 13, 2017 near Arenas…, NM
This section is rocky and more technical
Oct 13, 2017 near Arenas…, NM
Looking North toward Twin Sisters while on the trail.
Jun 5, 2015 near Arenas…, NM
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 79 days ago
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Check-Ins

Jan 16, 2021
W M
3.7mi — 1h 15m
Jun 2, 2019
Ale Gonzalez
Aug 21, 2018
Damselfly P
perfect dog run 3.8mi
Jul 28, 2018
Laura Jestings
May 12, 2018
Tom Adams
servis corral/twin sisters/dragonfly/old highway 8.3mi
Nov 11, 2017
Elissa B
Fun! Horse and hiker traffic.
Sep 17, 2017
Terry Heslin
Nice easy loop! 7.8mi
Jun 9, 2015
Christopher Bare
Always a great ride. A nice, cloudy but warm ride today. 3.6mi — 0h 23m
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