North Anthony's Nose Loop

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Features Views

The east side of North Anthony's Nose is an enjoyable ride with some dips and washes. The saddle transverse portion is easy going and there are several single tracks jetting off the main path. The west side has some cool drops and gets steep in some places, but is very doable.

Close the gate behind you when entering off the 404. Watch out for shooters on the west side. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen - it's hot and exposed.

East Side is easier and suitable to novice, where the West side you'll need suspension and experience.

Great cruse down the Sierra Vista trail. There are a few single tracks jetting off from the main trail, which is a fire-road. The Sierra Vista trail has a few washouts here or there, and dips scattered throughout. Once you reach your first left turn on a gravel road, the surface gets a little slushy but is even for the most part with a very minor grade. Views are of wide-open spaces and scenic desert landscape—the early spring is the best view with the desert coming alive with colors.

You'll follow the gravel road to your next turnout to the left, which is where you turn off the main Sierra Vista Trail. Before hand you'll see a few other trails and roads jetting off on either side of the road. For a short jaunt, the trail gets steep and is washed out in a few areas, pick your line and shred.

The road bifurcates with a brown trail marker in the middle of the bifurcation, go left. If you chose the correct path, the road brings you through a few minor wadies and is enjoyable to take fast. The surface them becomes sandy for a short while close to the T in the road, go left, and the sand becomes sparser. This road is enjoyable with elevations changes and nice little easy downhills, road is rocky in the wadies.

The views on the west side of North Anthony's Nose isn't as pristine as the east side. You'll find shell casings and beer bottles along the side of the roads. WATCH OUT: people do go back here to shoot; it is BLM land.

Once you make your last left turn, the road gets crumby. There are nice hills to climb as you go through a series of wadies, but the rocks are loose at the bottom and makes it difficult to keep your momentum and power for the next climb. Challenging, but doable for a seasoned soft-tailer.

"The Sierra Vista Trail is a 29-mile National Recreation Trail. It is a nonmotorized recreation trail along the western flank of the Organ Mountains and the eastern side of the Franklin Mountains. The trail provides spectacular views of the mountains, which jut majestically above the desert floor. It is also possible to see wildlife, including mule deer and coyotes, along the trail. The trail connects to the Franklin Mountain State Park Trail system in Texas, and it is used primarily by mountain bikers. While most of the trail is on gravelly uplands, some of the middle sections near Vado are very sandy and difficult for mountain bikes. There are also rugged rocky sections where suspension is desirable on mountain bikes." (from the BLM website, blm.gov/visit/sierra-vista-…)