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This is a grueling ride with tremendous payoff that's more than worth it.


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Map Key

28.8

Miles

46.3

KM

0%

Singletrack

11,141' 3,396 m

High

8,654' 2,638 m

Low

5,280' 1,609 m

Up

5,281' 1,610 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

38%

Max Grade (21°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Commonly Bikepacked

Impossible to ride while snow is on the ground. Snow can be at the peak until late June. Thunderstorms happen often in the summer.

Overview

This thirty-mile loop encompasses the best of Red River in a single loop. You'll see breathtaking vistas, remote meadows, local wildlife, and a chance to ride New Mexico's highest pass. The route is very gentle in some spots and expert in other areas so it will keep any level of rider entertained.

This route also has excellent opportunities for bikepacking because the area is so remote and is all National Forest. You could potentially bikepack from this trail then transfer over to the Valle Vidal for an even more remote bikepacking adventure.

Need to Know

Accessible from late June to October. Thunderstorms happen often in the summer. The roads can be congested with UTVs in the summer. These trails provide excellent bikepacking opportunities.

Description

This ride begins at Mallette Park located just north of Red River. Start riding up FS Sawmill Road #597 for 1.25 miles to reach the campgrounds. At the stop sign at the end of the campgrounds, go left and continue up the road for another mile to get to some excellent vistas of the Red River ski area. Continue up the road for two more miles to reach the top of Sawmill Pass.
Don't go right towards Greenie Peak because the road is extremely steep, rough, not well marked, and generally not a pleasant ride. Only descend in that area.

From Sawmill Pass, descend going west on FS Sawmill Road #597 towards Cabresto Creek for four miles. Take in some of the vistas of the Questa area while descending. Once at the bottom of the road, head east on FS Cabresto Canyon Road #134 for 7.35 miles to reach the Greenie Peak turnoff on FS Road #54. You can continue going east to explore the Midnight Meadows area before ascending Greenie Peak. The next mile consists of steep and rough climbing to reach Greenie Peak on FS Greenie Peak Road #54D. The elevation is very high in this area so just pace yourself.

Once at the peak, relax knowing you are a complete beast for climbing to the top of New Mexico's highest pass. Descend from the road you came up on (FS Greenie Peak Road #54D) or the road just south of Greenie Peak (FS Road #54H).

The final descent from Greenie Peak to Sawmill Pass can be very steep, rough, and easy to get lost. Take your time navigating the roads so you don't descend too early before Sawmill Pass (keep your eye on the MTB Project mobile app or a GPS unit). Once at Sawmill Pass, go back on FS Sawmill Road #597 to Red River to conclude the ride.

Contacts

Shared By:

DeArmond Lopez with improvements by Freya Nordstal

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 2 votes

#2

in Red River

#2738

Overall
  4.0 from 2 votes
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Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Red River

#75

in New Mexico

#2,738

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1,463 Since Sep 16, 2018
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Photos

A meadow just under Greenie Peak.
Sep 20, 2018 near Red River, NM

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