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One of the local favorites. Great flowing singletrack.


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Map Key

5.4

Miles

8.6

KM

100%

Singletrack

2,746' 837 m

High

2,634' 803 m

Low

242' 74 m

Up

241' 73 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

5%

Max Grade (3°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

A fast and flowing trail with great views of Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park.

Description

This ride leaves right from the Lajitas Airport trailhead. It's usually combined with Loop 4 and other trails to make a longer ride. The loop can be done in either direction but the locals usually ride it clockwise to take advantage of the outstanding flowing desent from the top of Big Air hill back to the trailhead. It's great in the other direction as well. The north leg of the loop is called the singlespeed trail and the south leg is called the Sport course. They are connected at the top (east) by a creek bed section.

On the east end of the loop is the intersection with Loop 4. By riding up either leg of Loop 3, you can reach Loop 4 and make a great 14-15 mile ride that is almost 100% singletrack and includes some of the best local trail segments like Fun Valley and the Dog Leg.

History & Background

This loop is part of the old Chihuahuan Desert Challenge and Mas o Menos 100 race course and was built around the year 2000. The southern leg of the loop is part of the old Sport course and was built when the new Lajitas Airport was constructed and created the need for a re-route of the original race course. The northern leg was built to make a dedicated singlespeed course when we added a singlespeed catagory to the Chihuahuan Desert Challenge in 2001.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jeff Renfrow

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 17 votes

#865

Overall
  4.6 from 17 votes
5 Star
75%
4 Star
19%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#29

in Texas

#865

Overall
24 Views Last Month
4,582 Since Apr 7, 2013
Intermediate Intermediate

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71%
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Photos

Alex riding the creek bed section at the top of loop 3.
Apr 7, 2013 near Lajitas, TX
Crystal catching some air on loop 3
Apr 7, 2013 near Lajitas, TX
It's all fast, flowing and downhill from here to the trailhead.  One of the funnest sections of trail in the area.
Apr 15, 2013 near Lajitas, TX
Quicksilver mines on some loop
Mar 18, 2023 near Lajitas, TX
Starting out on the singlespeed leg of loop 3.
Apr 7, 2013 near Lajitas, TX
Singlespeed trail singletrack
Apr 15, 2013 near Lajitas, TX
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 53 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Mar 30, 2024
Kaourantin Duplenne
Loop 3 * Loop 2 9.7mi — 1h 06m
Mar 8, 2024
Jesse Little
Nov 21, 2021
Miles Harris
A fun warmup to LaJitas. Love this trail.
Nov 25, 2017
Mike T
Fun
Nov 14, 2017
Tony Rizzo
20.3mi
Jul 12, 2017
David Reed
Flat tire!
Apr 21, 2017
Nicholas Schultz
Dec 25, 2016
Akash Sharma
5.4mi
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