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The main loop around the BLM La Cueva trail system.


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Map Key

8.2

Miles

13.2

KM

Singletrack

3,482' 1,061 m

High

3,233' 985 m

Low

396' 121 m

Up

390' 119 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

7%

Max Grade (4°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Drops/Jumps

Description

The La Cueva trail is the main trail in this system. It's about 8 miles long and starts out pretty mellow winding through the desert outside of Carlsbad, NM before beginning to climb up into the limestone hills. The center portion of the trail has some technical and loose singletrack and some tight turns. There are a couple of bail-out points at the halfway mark (farthest from the parking lot). Just past the halfway point (going in a counter-clockwise direction) you'll top out at the highest point and then be rewarded with some fun singletrack downhill. The southernmost portion of the trail winds through a clayey flat which is fun if it's dry (otherwise like riding through pudding). I typically take the turnoff at Poquito Mas Trail and link into Runaway Trail for some more technical singletrack descents.

Click here for a PDF map of the area.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jason Karl with improvements by Jesse Wolfe

Trail Ratings

  3.6 from 12 votes

#11897

Overall
  3.6 from 12 votes
5 Star
17%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
42%
2 Star
8%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#265

in New Mexico

#11,897

Overall
18 Views Last Month
2,717 Since May 8, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

9%
0%
73%
9%
9%
0%

Photos

Cacti are blooming in April.
Apr 28, 2019 near Carlsbad, NM
Just starting out on LaCueva trail
Apr 28, 2019 near Carlsbad, NM
Views of Carlsbad heading down Erosion Gulch Trail. Can you see all three riders?
Apr 28, 2019 near Carlsbad, NM
Climbin' and watchin' for cactus.
Mar 24, 2016 near Carlsbad, NM
Runaway and La Cueva intersection.
Apr 22, 2023 near Carlsbad, NM
Directions to the new trailhead
Apr 22, 2023 near Carlsbad, NM
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 10 days ago
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