Agave Loop

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

For riders interested in connecting to Mundy's Gap, Agave Loop is a better option than the talus fields of West Cottonwood Spring. The path splits off immediately after the latter's trailhead and starts in a similar manner - wide and rocky.

After passing a sheltered picnic area, the trail turns off to the left as a narrower dirt singletrack. A shortcut straight ahead makes a steep climb, while the nicer main trail hairpins up the side of a foothill, passing by agave, lechugillas and sotols as it goes. After the two rejoin, another shortcut is available to the left; again, the longer path is the nicer ride.

The trail soon crests the foothill at a large clearing. This is a launching area for a local paragliding club, and a nice view of west El Paso spreads out to the west. A small rock cairn marks the beginning point of Upper Agave to the southeast; this trail completes the climb to the top of West Cottonwood Spring and connects to the difficult but scenic North Franklin Peak.

Continue past the launching area to the northeast. The remainder of the trail is still somewhat rocky, but flattens out as it overlooks a canyon. Two scree crossings are ahead, both about twenty feet long. Traction through these areas is difficult and riders should slow down in the interest of safety.

After the second crossing, Agave Loop merges into West Cottonwood Spring a hundred feet before the beginning of Mundy's Gap. A sign marks where the trails split. For riders starting on Agave Loop from this end, look to the left for where the trail follows the mountain contour instead of continuing down into the canyon.