Encino Loop

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

This ride offers a shorter alternative to the IMBA epic ride that can be ridden from the Sauceda ranger station in the center of the park. The singletrack sections are former roads that have been reclaimed by the desert. The ride is fairly easy except in a few short sections where it crosses washes.

Travel west from the Sauceda ranger station on the main park road. Past the entrance to the airstrip, you'll turn left onto la Mota Road. After about one mile, you'll reach the first singletrack section, the Papalote Encino Trail.

This is a beautiful trail that crosses rolling country and it will give you a sense of the isolation and solitude that abounds in Big Bend State Park. This section of singletrack is a part of the Fresno-Sauceda Loop - IMBA Epic. It follows an old road bed but it has been reclaimed by the desert into a flowing singletrack.

The Papalote Encino Trail ends at the main park road. Turn right onto the main park road and after about a mile you fill find the entrance to the Power Line Trail. The sign for this trail is easy to miss, but the power line is not.

This trail also follows an old road bed, but the desert has reclaimed more of the old road bed and the trail can become indistinct in points. Stay under the power line and you won't get lost. Your shins will likely make friends with at least one cactus though.

The Power Line Trail ends at la Mota Road where you trace your steps back to Sauceda.