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White Ridge Trail System - Main Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.5 (126)
  1. Areas
  2. NM
  3. …Central New Mexico
  4. …San Ysidro
  5. White Mesa Bike Trails
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“Sweet singletrack loop on a gypsum formation with stellar (stark) scenery. ”

LeeAB Brinckerhoff
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Map Key

8.4

Miles

13.5

KM

85%

Singletrack

6,019' 1,835 m

High

5,542' 1,689 m

Low

831' 253 m

Up

825' 251 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

20%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

This trail was developed with mountain biking in mind and is sure to please. Fast sections of singletrack follow the ridge lines, descents take in fun terrain, and beautiful rocky desert scenery is everywhere you turn. While much of the trail is not too technical, it's narrow enough to hold your attention.

There are a few climbs that grind up a wide gravel road though they are short. In places the trail is getting a bit deep so be careful - catching your front tire on the edge unexpectedly could have bad consequences.

Need to Know

While not particularly technical, White Ridge stands out in the Albuquerque area for vertical exposure. True hazard is limited in most sections--it would take a concerted effort to fly off into oblivion. But the Marker 16 spur and the Marker 17 to trailhead section are notable exceptions. And catching a pedal on the uphill side of the trail should be avoided everywhere because it can launch you off the trail. On the other hand, there is abundant psychological exposure, the sense that there is a whole lot of nothingness on one or both sides of the trail. The northern parts of Dragon's Back especially. If heights are a concern, check out the first part of Dragon's where the inner valley yawns to your right. If riding along this makes you nervous, it is just going to get worse. Consider other sections or walking your bike to keep the excitement in your comfort zone.

Description

There is a good trail map at the trailhead. The trail junctions are numbered and out on the trail each junction has a numbered post with a downsized version of the map. The following description is keyed to these marker posts.

Start by riding up the road, then go up a climb with a few "baby" steps near the top to marker 2. At the top of the climb, you'll curve around to the left on the road to marker 3 until you can head left on a nice singletrack along the ridge line: this is Dragon's Back.

There are several gradual climbs and descents along the ridge and some exposed riding where the trail cuts along the hillside. Eventually a sharp drop leads to a notch (marker 4) where a CO2 pipeline was cut through the ridge. There is a trail leading down left off of the ridge to the road. If you have had enough of Dragon's Back, this is a good bailout point that will bypass the steep section to the north. Otherwise to continue onward, you'll need to climb up a short section carrying your bike.

Once you're up the climb, grind up the road on top. At the top of the climb, wonder out loud why you carried your bike up that climb. As you descend from the high point, notice the singletrack that cuts off to the right, take it and rejoice. Tight curves lead through the lumpy terrain as you lose elevation until the trail drops down a long ramp that finishes with some sharp rollers.

Traverse some very steep slopes to get down off the nose of Dragon's Back. At this point (marker 6) you'll be on a road with Hwy 550 across the Rio Salado.

You'll understand at this point why riding Dragon's Back north to south is less popular.

Follow the road that you were deposited on for a hundred yards or so around the nose of the ridge, keeping an eye out for the singletrack that starts to the right at marker 7.

Fast, flat singletrack leads back in the direction from which you came and eventually rejoins the road (marker 8) for a short distance before moving off to the left and climbing up through an area of spring activity (geology marker).

Aside from the climb, this bit is relatively mellow with not much to get excited about other than the views.

Eventually, a short loose slope ends in another notch or saddle. Between marker 10 and 11 you have the option of road or trail. The trail is steep with red rock and an interesting sinkhole. On the road you'll face some loose sand if you don't hold your line while climbing.

Once at the top of the climb (marker 12) the route divides. To the right is a road that comes from "Central Spine" which is best ridden downhill. So go left to Good Times instead.

Good Times is braided road and singletrack. The singletrack skirts a cliff line that provides views back to the spring area between marker 9 and 10.

At marker 13 the route divides. The right side has whoop-dee-doo type features across a moonscape of gravel. It is worthwhile riding the marker 13-15 area as a loop to see everything.

Continue along the canyon edge and the next intersection you come upon is marker 16. To the right is a short spur with exciting exposure that goes out to a viewpoint. To the left is the "Final Frontier".

The "Final Frontier" is a ridge line that you'll follow through some steep climbs. There's one spot where you need to work through some tight rocks right at the top, otherwise it is surprisingly smooth singletrack given the ruggedness of the terrain.

At marker 17 an extremely steep and exposed trail to the left leads down to an alternate trailhead.

Make a right towards marker 18 and 19, following white trails headed up to a tall white mound that you can ride to the top of. Near this area the "Central Spine" trail starts at marker 22.

Continue off to the left on some fast doubletrack or stay along the canyon edge for some very steep side trails.

Either way will take you back to the beginning of the Dragon's Back at marker 3. Turn left and roll down the hill to your car.

Contacts

Local Club: AMBA

Land Manager: BLM New Mexico - Rio Puerco Field Office

Shared By:

LeeAB Brinckerhoff with improvements by Chris Grigereit
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 126 votes

#1

in White Mesa Bike Trails

#92

Overall
  4.5 from 126 votes
5 Star
58%
4 Star
36%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in White Mesa Bike Trails

#2

in New Mexico

#92

Overall
111 Views Last Month
43,898 Since Mar 16, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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Photos

Minerals oozing out of the springs at White Mesa New Mexico
Aug 14, 2016 near Jemez P…, NM
A tour of the very fun White Mesa riding.
Jan 8, 2018 near Jemez P…, NM
Lizz getting some air under her wheels while descending Good Times at White Mesa.
Apr 1, 2018 near Jemez P…, NM
One of the technical moves on Dragon's Back.
Mar 30, 2015 near Jemez P…, NM
A little shrubbery to break things up.
Mar 17, 2013 near Jemez P…, NM
White Mesa New Mexico
Sep 14, 2016 near Jemez P…, NM

16 Comments

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Check-Ins

Jul 22, 2023
Bradley Turek
What a beautiful earth They gave us! Had to walk the bike a few times, but that's a sign of wisdom, I'm sure. We saw two millipedes, a horny toa… 8.4mi — 1h 21m
Nov 27, 2022
Bob Eggimann
Reverse — 1h 20m
Jul 8, 2022
Jeremy Durling
8.2mi — 2h 00m
May 21, 2022
Dylan Webb
My GPS and my legs said this trail was 1,350 ft, not what was listed. beautiful views and great trail system, though! 8.9mi
Dec 19, 2021
Sean Ross
Important to note: You may want to take 4-5-6, Right at #9 is easier, Take the left turn at #12, the first right turn after #13
Nov 26, 2021
Matt Gillham
Fun
Aug 6, 2021
Ryan Chaknova
Apr 18, 2021
Brice Corcoran

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