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A great alternate start or finish, to/from the Tunnel Canyon trailhead.


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Map Key

2.6

Miles

4.1

KM

Singletrack

7,222' 2,201 m

High

6,580' 2,006 m

Low

13' 4 m

Up

654' 199 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

May be closed during the summer months due to fire danger, check with the ranger station for details.

Description

This trail was cut in 2011 by FOO and the forest service, and is a great addition. It is mostly flat and downhill if you start from the West Ridge Trail.

Starting from the West Ridge junction you'll quickly come to a small burned out area that offers a great view of the back side of the Sandia Mountains. From here things start to drop with lots of twists and turns as the trail contours more along a hillside than a ridge. There are also a few sections with rock ledges but nothing too technical.

Eventually you really start to go down on an open hillside and you'll encounter a couple of hairpins, then a longer straight section with some more rocky bits followed by 2 more hairpins. The trail then enters the trees again for the last fast, flowing bit before you pop out onto the Tunnel Canyon Trail less than 100 yards from the Tunnel Canyon Trailhead.

You can also climb the trail as an alternate approach to the West Ridge.

Contacts

Local Club: AMBA

Land Manager: USFS - Cibola National Forest Office

Shared By:

LeeAB Brinckerhoff

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 16 votes

#7128

Overall
  4.1 from 16 votes
5 Star
25%
4 Star
63%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#137

in New Mexico

#7,128

Overall
5 Views Last Month
1,839 Since Apr 2, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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40%
27%
33%
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Photos

The culvert tunnel under "South 14" is well-lit and easily rideable but does include a large rock part way through
Oct 12, 2014 near Carnuel, NM
View of the Sandias and Cedro peak as you leave the burn scar on top.
May 21, 2013 near Carnuel, NM
Tunnel Canyon has some really challenging climbs.
Sep 8, 2016 near Carnuel, NM
The rocky start to the West Ridge Trail from the junction with the Tunnel Canyon Trail.
Apr 2, 2013 near Carnuel, NM
Tight spot between rocks.
Apr 2, 2013 near Carnuel, NM
Nice new trails thanks to FOO and the FS.
Apr 2, 2013 near Carnuel, NM

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Current Trail Conditions

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 18, 2024
Patrick Burns
About as much flow as you can expect for high desert ledgy terrain. This is a worthy run.
May 8, 2022
Ethan Dixon
Linked Tunnel connector to Tunnel trail up, to West Ridge, to Birdcage down. A blast going fast! 8.1mi
Apr 5, 2020
Miguel Contreras
1.9mi
Aug 18, 2019
Aaron Kikola
Ran it uphill with Paul - first day on the Kona
Jun 13, 2018
Private User
May 30, 2018
Kings Josh
Apr 8, 2018
Alfred Baughman
Nov 24, 2017
Heather Goodrich
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