Devisadero Hotshot Route

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

The first mile abuts the Taos Pueblo boundary, please respect this west-east running fenced boundary and don't cross onto the Pueblo. This isn't a heavily used trail but is popular among hikers who know about it, so make sure your brakes work and check your speed accordingly on the descent. During wildfire season, expect to see some Forest Service personnel at the firefighter training facilities.

This trail begins at the Carson National Forest Hotshot training facility at the top of Forest Road #1 aka Piedmont Road. You can ride from town or park at the National Forest access gate 0.65 miles up FS Piedmont Road #1, there's spaces for a couple vehicles. Signs clearly state only government vehicles are allowed beyond the gate, alongside the Carson National Forest and hikers/bikes signs. Most of the time this area is open, if it's not the gate will be closed. Ride up the road then onto the Boundary Spur after the main road heads to the right. Ride around the right side of another gate and look for an old helicopter landing pad next to a bunch of scattered equipment and various building materials scattered along an open field, then eastwards about a hundred feet to the edge of the open area and look for a narrow trail on the left.

The first 0.4 miles is nice, flowy singletrack that dips in and out of some drainages, and then gradually climbs through the pinon and juniper forest. At one point you'll be a few feet away from the Taos Pueblo boundary as the trail passes through an opening in a fence perpendicular to the Pueblo's fence line. About 0.9 miles in the old and overgrown Cortado pack trail branches to the left while the Hotshot trail continues along the more worn-in and noticeable path heading southeast. At that point the route becomes steeper and rockier, similar to—but not as technical as—the Devisadero loop or the El Nogal section of the South Boundary trail. There are a few short hike-a-bike sections through rock features that require a dismount, and a few nicely-built switchbacks before the trail steepens on the last pitch until finally leveling out at the junction of the Devisadero Loop Trail #108 and North Boundary Trail #495.

The descent is moderately technical from the top as you navigate the rock outcrops after the switchbacks, and crosses some washed out areas before becoming smoother with good flow. While not a heavily used route, be prepared to encounter other trail users.