MTB Project Logo

Birdhouse Ridge

 4.1 (10)
  1. Areas
  2. NM
  3. …Central New Mexico
  4. …Albuquerque
  5. Manzanita Mountains Trail System
Google Map

2.6 Miles 4.1 Kilometers


Singletrack

13' 4 m

Ascent

-654' -199 m

Descent

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

7,222' 2,201 m

High

6,580' 2,006 m

Low

Shared By LeeAB Brinckerhoff

Conditions

All Clear 91 days ago
Dry History
Getting forecast...

“A great alternate start or finish, to/from the Tunnel Canyon trailhead.”

— LeeAB Brinckerhoff
Driving DirectionsGPX File

Dogs Leashed

Features eMTB allowed

May be closed during the summer months due to fire danger, check with the ranger station for details.

Description

This trail was cut in 2011 by FOO and the forest service, and is a great addition. It is mostly flat and downhill if you start from the West Ridge Trail.

Starting from the West Ridge junction you'll quickly come to a small burned out area that offers a great view of the back side of the Sandia Mountains. From here things start to drop with lots of twists and turns as the trail contours more along a hillside than a ridge. There are also a few sections with rock ledges but nothing too technical.

Eventually you really start to go down on an open hillside and you'll encounter a couple of hairpins, then a longer straight section with some more rocky bits followed by 2 more hairpins. The trail then enters the trees again for the last fast, flowing bit before you pop out onto the Tunnel Canyon Trail less than 100 yards from the Tunnel Canyon Trailhead.

You can also climb the trail as an alternate approach to the West Ridge.

Contacts

Local Club: AMBA

Land Manager: USFS - Cibola National Forest Office

Oct 3, 2018: Forest Offices Close for Columbus Day

Oct 2, 2018: Temporary Area Closure for Milk Ranch Trailhead Parking Area, Mount Taylor Ranger District

Oct 1, 2018: Prescribed Fire planned for the Mt Taylor Ranger District

You & This Trail


Rate Quality


   Clear Rating

Rate Difficulty

Share This Trail

Your Check-Ins

Check-Ins

Jun 13, 2018
Tenzin Chuteng
May 30, 2018
Kings Josh
Apr 8, 2018
Alfred Baughman
Nov 24, 2017
Heather Goodrich
Sep 19, 2016
Frank Skimahorn
Don't let the blue rating fool you. This trail is hard when going uphill. It is quite ledgy. Most will be putting some feet down occasionally.
May 5, 2014
Richard Noland
Mar 21, 2014
John Geronimo
Apr 25, 2013
skelldify
First time on this. What a great trail! It was a liiitle loose, but that added to the fun! Lots of off camber, w/rocks that are REALLY off-camber.

Stewarded By

Stewarded by AMBA
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 10 votes

#4

in Manzanita Mountains Trail System

#4566

Overall
  4.1 from 10 votes
5 Star
20%
4 Star
70%
3 Star
10%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Rankings

#4

in Manzanita Mountains Tr…

#102

in New Mexico

#4,566

Overall
11 Views Last Month
1,292 Since Apr 2, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
44%
44%
11%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

View of the Sandias and Cedro peak as you leave the burn scar on top.
View of the Sandias and Cedro peak as you leave…
 5
Tunnel Canyon has some really challenging climbs.
Tunnel Canyon has some really challenging climbs.
 4
The rocky start to the West Ridge Trail from the junction with the Tunnel Canyon Trail.
The rocky start to the West Ridge Trail from th…
 4
The culvert tunnel under "South 14" is well-lit and easily rideable but does include a large rock part way through
The culvert tunnel under "South 14" is well-lit…
 3
Nice new trails thanks to FOO and the FS.
Nice new trails thanks to FOO and the FS.
 3
View of the backside of the Sandia Mountains
View of the backside of the Sandia Mountains
 3

0 Comments

Nearby Rides

The view makes the tough climb worth it
5.3 mi 8.5 km
Armijo Loop
 8
Sandia Knolls, NM
Framed by trees rounding a switchback
12.0 mi 19.3 km
King of the Mountain, Go…
 19
Sandia Heights, NM
Quick ride before the monsoons roll over the Sandia Mountains. New Mexico
8.3 mi 13.4 km
Jeebs Line
 12
Placitas, NM
Saddle on the north side of Vulcan provides expansive views of Albuquerque and the Sandias
3.0 mi 4.8 km
Albuquerque Volcanoes
 7
Lee Acres, NM

MTB Project is part of the REI Co-op family,
where a life outdoors is a life well lived.

Shop REI Mountain Bike

MTB Project is supported by

Support Your Local IMBA Chapter