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Exposed ridge-lines and high meadows make for stunning views and epic adventures.


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Map Key

24.2

Miles

38.9

KM

Singletrack

11,030' 3,362 m

High

9,980' 3,042 m

Low

2,748' 838 m

Up

2,466' 752 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

23%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Features Views

Need to Know

Cumbres Pass is on a paved highway in southern Colorado while Lagunitas Campground is about 28 miles down a dirt road (usually passable by a 2WD car).

Description

Section 31 of the Continental Divide Trail runs between Lower Lagunitas Campground and Cumbres Pass. It is often ridden as an out-and back from either of these locations, or as the start of an epic journey from Cumbres Pass to Ghost Ranch.

Starting from Cumbres Pass, the trail heads south of the highway just across from the railroad trestle, switch-backing through the trees up to a high ridgeline ripe for trainspotting in the valley below.

Three miles in, you cross the Colorado-New Mexico border at a barbed-wire fence (no passport needed) before descending into a creek valley where spur trails can be tempting. Look for a mucky creek crossing and a faint trail ascending up the southern slope. As the trail cuts through the forest, it winds around some interesting rock outcroppings great for elk-spotting.

At Forest Road 686, follow the 2-track for a short while, looking for the CDT signs that take you down a few logging roads before veering off back into the trees for an extended descent through forests and alpine ridgelines. The trail then crosses a wide open section of river valleys and rolling hills bounded by FR87H on the west, and FR87 on the east.

After crossing FR87, ascend back up to the ridge tops, for a rolling descent toward Lagunitas. The views into Cruces Basin Wilderness to the east are unending, but so is the potential for lightning–plan this traverse before afternoon thunderstorms build up.

Eventually, you'll regain the unbroken treeline and the rim of an ancient volcanic caldera that created much of the landscape. Be aware that the section of trail that traverses the fine white tuff (volcanic ash) is unrideable–and darn near unwalkable–after a rainstorm.

Contacts

Shared By:

TMBA Taos Mountain Bike Assoc…

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 6 votes

#11736

Overall
  4.0 from 6 votes
5 Star
17%
4 Star
67%
3 Star
17%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1,152

in Colorado

#11,736

Overall
9 Views Last Month
1,061 Since Jul 31, 2019
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Looking off the trail SW towards the Chama Valley.
Oct 18, 2020 near Chama, NM
On the trail looking N.
Oct 18, 2020 near unknown, unknown
Bikepacking the CDT- New Mexico
Aug 26, 2023 near Chama, NM
Treacherous mud trap dubbed the Peanut Butter Death Cliff cruelly located just before Lagunitas Camp.
Aug 10, 2022 near Chama, NM
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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Check-Ins

Jul 6, 2024
Chad Corbin
beautiful trail, a bit narrow in places, very singletrack. non technical but long ups and downs. 7mi
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