MTB Project Logo

An excellent high desert singletrack outside of Aztec.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

8.9

Miles

14.2

KM

0%

Singletrack

6,268' 1,911 m

High

5,819' 1,774 m

Low

881' 269 m

Up

697' 212 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

17%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

A mellow singletrack that takes riders though open desert spaces, sage brush, and sandstone rock formations.

Need to Know

This trail has an official trailhead at 36°49'34"N 107°56'46"W. There is ample parking and maps of the area.

Description

Mountain View is pleasant desert singletrack, sort of an Alien Run with less topography. It is well worth a ride. It can be a bit sandy, so the riding after precipitation is good.

From 550, turn onto NM173, go about a mile, then bear right onto Old Spanish Trail and go to where it ends. Turn left and park at Tiger Park by the fishing ponds. The park is open from 5 am to midnight, with no overnight parking. You may also be able to park up near the Kart Track, off the north side of 173.

The trail takes off from the northeast corner of the lot, where there is an Aztec Trails and Open Space (ATOS) cairn: a basket of rocks. You'll see a number of these along the trail.

The first part of the trail has a strong gas well aesthetic, but gets you out to the singletrack on BLM land. You're going to experience some hydrocarbon production and consumption. There are faded arrows on white signs, but not too many so use the MTB Project mobile app to stay on track.

The trail crosses NM173 then goes around the right side of the Kart Track (throttle stomping) and then the left side of the motocross track (throttle twisting). At this point, you'll see a bicycle on a tall pole. This landmark indicates you are almost to the good stuff!

Go up the road 600 feet, and you'll reach BLM signs indicating only mountain bikes are permitted: no hydrocarbons or horses either. The singletrack begins here and gets better. After 1/2 mile, the trail splits and the loop begins. The arrows are set for a counterclockwise direction.

The trail runs along the base of "Mt. Cowskull" then descends various drainages and runs out along a sand ridge to the west. Crossing a little bridge by a fine gas installation, you'll reach a junction with a hanging tire. A shortcut goes north to the other side of the loop.

Near a second hanging tire a juniper has been struck by lightning and blown apart, which makes for an interesting excuse to stop.

The far eastern part of the loop traverses an area of sandstone slickrock. The final couple miles of the trail are downhill and good fun.

Contacts

Shared By:

John Geronimo with improvements by Martha Schoppe

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 22 votes

#1

in Farmington

#1159

Overall
  4.0 from 22 votes
5 Star
23%
4 Star
64%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
5%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Farmington

#23

in New Mexico

#1,159

Overall
28 Views Last Month
3,916 Since Nov 4, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

5%
14%
77%
0%
5%
0%

Photos

Cactus flower at the highest point of the mountain view trail.
May 31, 2023 near Aztec, NM
There is a small section of slickrock.
Nov 4, 2016 near Aztec, NM
Sandy ridge trail.
Nov 4, 2016 near Aztec, NM
Descending section.
Nov 4, 2016 near Aztec, NM
Winding singletrack.
Nov 4, 2016 near Aztec, NM
Looking north to the Colorado peaks.
Nov 4, 2016 near Aztec, NM

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 62 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jan 1, 2024
Micah Magee
May 30, 2023
Austin Mower
Apr 2, 2023
O Nasty
Park at the "bicycle on a tall pole" area as others have suggested. Great place to ride with a dog.
Nov 6, 2022
Anna Riling
Absolutely park in the lot just north of the motocross park, not at Tiger Park. Cuts a mile or so of oil and gas road and a highway crossing out. 4mi
May 19, 2021
Almareli Holman
May 2, 2021
Brian Gustafson
Apr 15, 2021
Larry Welling
Apr 5, 2021
M P
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.