Forest Road 42

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Commonly Bikepacked · Views

Be prepared, as this is remote and rugged terrain, the road itself doesn't require technical riding skills but given the nature of this area it's recommended to not travel alone and be prepared for any situation which may arise. The towns of Vallecitos and La Madera have a post office but not much else. Tres Piedras has one restaurant which may or may not be open. This isn't a heavily used motorized road but you may encounter occasional vehicles including trucks hauling timber and material out from one of the few active mines in the area.

Forest Road 42 connects US Highway 64 near Tres Piedras with NM 111 near the small village of Vallecitos. This is a typical active Forest Service road, while it's not the most appealing ride if you're looking for amazing singletrack and alpine views this is an important route to link up several other forest roads and connect long distance bikepacking routes between various towns such as Abiquiu, El Rito, La Madera, and Canjilon, and Tierra Amarilla and Chama to the west.

From the north, the road begins approximately seven miles west from Tres Piedras. The first mile and a half crosses private property then reenters USFS land and climbs onto the higher terrain north of Kiowa Mountain, to a high point just above 8,800' followed by a three-mile descent along a seasonal stream before making a couple switchbacks to another high point. Another descent nearly one mile and FR 42 merges onto NM 111 (paved) which continues south into Vallecitos.