Maquinita Canyon

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Features Views

Wildlife is abundant. As with other routes across northern New Mexico, while technically legal, off-leash dogs may not be recommendable if they may chase wildlife or get lost. As an active motorized route for fuelwood harvesting, e-bikes should be fine though this route is not shown on the Tres Piedras MVUM.

Access to miles upon miles of mapped and unmapped forest roads and remote wilderness bikepacking/camping opportunity.

This is one of the the centrally located access routes onto the Carson National Forest between Tres Piedras and Hopewell. This road ends where the route is mapped, along the way and at the end of this road are a few other forest roads which lead to nearly unlimited bikepacking possibilities.

There's a gate at the entrance along Highway 64 about a mile below the Deer Creek and Rio Tusas confluence. The green cattle gate can be opened to access the route. Regional ethics are to leave these gates as found or close them if it's open when you get there. Parking is available on either side. A second closure gate with a "ROAD CLOSED" sign may be locked when the road is closed, typically during spring when this area is closed for elk calving. During winter this is a snowmobile and xc skiing route.

Beyond the gate lies large swaths of undeveloped forests and meadows and hundreds of miles of forest roads. The adventure is yours. Cell signal is nonexistent across most of this region. Prepare accordingly and if unfamiliar with wilderness travel, exploring this area alone is not recommended.