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The main loop around the BLM La Cueva trail system.


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Map Key

8.2

Miles

13.2

KM

Singletrack

3,482' 1,061 m

High

3,233' 985 m

Low

396' 121 m

Up

390' 119 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

7%

Max Grade (4°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Drops/Jumps

Description

The La Cueva trail is the main trail in this system. It's about 8 miles long and starts out pretty mellow winding through the desert outside of Carlsbad, NM before beginning to climb up into the limestone hills. The center portion of the trail has some technical and loose singletrack and some tight turns. There are a couple of bail-out points at the halfway mark (farthest from the parking lot). Just past the halfway point (going in a counter-clockwise direction) you'll top out at the highest point and then be rewarded with some fun singletrack downhill. The southernmost portion of the trail winds through a clayey flat which is fun if it's dry (otherwise like riding through pudding). I typically take the turnoff at Poquito Mas Trail and link into Runaway Trail for some more technical singletrack descents.

Click here for a PDF map of the area.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jason Karl with improvements by Jesse Wolfe

Trail Ratings

  3.6 from 13 votes

#11896

Overall
  3.6 from 13 votes
5 Star
15%
4 Star
38%
3 Star
38%
2 Star
8%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#257

in New Mexico

#11,896

Overall
18 Views Last Month
2,717 Since May 8, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

8%
0%
67%
17%
8%
0%

Photos

Cacti are blooming in April.
Apr 28, 2019 near Carlsbad, NM
Just starting out on LaCueva trail
Apr 28, 2019 near Carlsbad, NM
Views of Carlsbad heading down Erosion Gulch Trail. Can you see all three riders?
Apr 28, 2019 near Carlsbad, NM
Climbin' and watchin' for cactus.
Mar 24, 2016 near Carlsbad, NM
Runaway and La Cueva intersection.
Apr 22, 2023 near Carlsbad, NM
Directions to the new trailhead
Apr 22, 2023 near Carlsbad, NM
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 44 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Nov 1, 2024
Anonymous
New trailhead on Mckittrick road. All other trailheads have been closed. 8.2mi — 1h 02m
Jan 21, 2022
Kcdc Jones
Jan 5, 2022
Bret Murray
Aug 14, 2021
Ken Burke
Muddy, Overgrown 3.9mi — 1h 00m
Jul 27, 2021
Josh Hartlerode
May 16, 2021
Lost Justpastnowhere
Apr 14, 2021
William Thomas
Apr 26, 2020
Derrick Hoover
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