Quemazon - Guaje Ridge - Cabra - Perimeter Loop

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

This is a tough climb in sections of Quemazon/Pipeline. The Guaje Ridge descent is amazing and leads into another fine descent on Cabra. Finish the ride on the enjoyable Perimeter trail that flows better in the opposite direction. But after the tough climb on Quemazon, the Perimeter uphill sectons don't feel like much.

Avoid during hot, sunny days as the climb is exposed. Late afternoon showers could turn the narrow Guaje Ridge descent fear factor up a notch or two in the first mile.

Head up up to Trinity Drive from the pool parking lot and enter the Quemazon trail from 48th. Keep right on the steep rocky doubletrack.

At the juncture of Pipeline Descent (about 3 miles into the offroad climb), go left up the doubletrack for another 3 miles to the entrance of the Guaje Ridge trail on your right.

Follow the narrow singletrack descent (with a few quick climbs) for 5 miles to forest road. Go left downhill 1/2 a mle to the Cabra trail on your right.

Follow Cabra all the way down to the Rendija juncture and go right up towards the cemetery. Stay right and you'll now start the Perimeter trail mostly uphill for with some short descents for 3 miles. You'll descend off the trail to 48th & Urban, turning right on North Rd. After a quick descent and uphill turn right on Diamond Drive and then a short ride before turning left on Canyon Rd and back down to the pool parking lot.

Optimally, do this ride after May because that is when the wind-downed trees and spiny Locust trees get trimmed for the annual Guage mountain running race. Dogs can be off leash for most of it but for in-town connector portions, dogs must be on strict voice command or leash. Also, no water for dogs on trail, and no quick or easy ways out if your dog gets exhausted.

An alternate and more varied approach that requires a car shuttle is to start at the Pajarito Ski Hill and access pipeline road from the Top, via Canada Bontia trail. Note that this has almost as much up-hill as starting in Los Alamos.

You ride through the area that was victim to a serious wildfire that affected many lives in Los Alamos.