Name: Skyline Trail #251
Rating: 4.0

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This trail borders on both the Pecos Wilderness and the Santa Fe Watershed. These are protected areas and bikes are not allowed so please stay on the trail. Hikers may ask if you are even allowed on this trail given it's proximity to these protected areas. According to the Santa Fe National Forest Service you are allowed to ride your biker here.

Description

If you're feeling strong after an Aspen Vista ride, you can go higher! The Skyline Trail splits away to the right at the top of the Santa Fe Ski area (about 100 yards east of the top of the triple chair).

The trail climbs through thinning forest as the tree line nears. The climb is technical in many spots and can get very steep toward the middle of the ride. Soon, you'll get to the tree line and the trail is exposed and can get somewhat faint at times. Just go up!

The grade gets steeper and steeper as you move toward the summit. As you near the top, the grade lessens. You can ride all the way to the top for a break and some photo ops of the amazing views in all directions. Lake Peak is just another several hundred yards away, but is out of bounds for bikes as it is in the Pecos Wilderness. There is absolutely no way to actually ride a bike there anyway.

From here, you can ride back down the way you came, or take the daunting Ravens Ridge trail or weave your way down to the ski area and ride down the ski runs. Doing so is controversial however as there are mixed feelings about riding your bike on this trail. There is no finite policy against it, but it is discouraged by the SF Forest Service and the SF Fat Tire Society.