Lemitas Trail #405

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

This trail crosses high desert washes and is suitable for fatbikes, and would be difficult to ride with a conventional mountain bike in the loose sand. The route begins on Highway 84 between Abiquiu and Espanola. Parking is right off the highway at the access point for Forest Road 34, there's a gate and trail marker signs. Just past the gate, turn left onto Forest Road 34A and ride south towards the Arroyo de las Lemitas.

After riding about 0.5 miles, you'll reach the Lemitas Trail #405, follow it west as it gradually climbs through some amazing geologic features and cottonwood groves, with a plethora of fun terrain features that are reshaped with every precipitation and runoff event.

After about 1.5 miles, watch for a marker on the left bank where the trail leaves the arroyo and begins climbing onto the higher ridges and mesas. If you miss the turn, you'll know you've made a mistake if the terrain becomes gnarlier and unrideable, the arroyo continues to some class 2+ rock features where seasonal or flood event waterfalls flow.

After leaving the arroyo, the trail is readily visible with moderate climbs and flowing descents. There's a few high points with amazing, vast views of the surrounding desert and Taos Range to the northeast, and the geologic feature known as Window Rock.

The Lemitas Trail accesses the Palacio Trail #406 and ends at a junction with the Apache Trail #104.