5.6 miles
Distance
698 ft
Climb
-679 ft
Descent
1 mile
High Point
18 ft
Altitude change
5,335 ft
Altitude min
5,336 ft
Altitude start
5,354 ft
Altitude end
0.1%
Grade
-20.6%
Grade max
41%
Grade min
3 miles
Distance climb
2 miles
Distance down
1,716 ft
Distance flat

A simple short loop featuring Black Canyon, Gramont Peak and the Descansos Trail. Can be easily combined with Chupadera Crossing for a longer ride, or start on Blue Canyon Trail before completing this loop.

Detailed Description
Descansos Loop is a 6 mile popular expert route located near Socorro New Mexico. This mountain bike primary route can be used one direction and has a hard overall physical rating. This route includes 4 trails. This route climbs 698 ft with a max elevation of 6,022 ft then descends -679 ft.
Tags
CanyonRock gardensSummit

Trail Issues on Route

  • Minor Issue / Yellow: 2 trails (newest: Feb 27, 2026)

Local Trail Association

Local trail association
Socorro Trails (www.socorro-trails.org)
Please consider joining or donating to the local riding association to support trail development & maintenance.
Donate to earn trail karma!

Stats

  • Distance
    6 miles
  • Altitude min
    5,335 ft
  • Altitude start
    5,336 ft
  • Altitude end
    5,354 ft
  • Climb
    698 ft
  • Descent
    -679 ft
  • Grade
    0.1%
  • Grade max
    -20.6%
  • Grade min
    41%
  • Distance climb
    3 miles
  • Distance down
    2 miles
  • Distance flat
    1,716 ft

1 Review & Comments


We hope you've been enjoying Trailforks!

Create a FREE account to view all route reviews and much more.

Trails in Route

Details

  • Riding area
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Other Activities
    • E-Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Difficulty rating
    Black Diamond
  • Route Type
    Loop
  • eBike Allowed
  • Bike type
    AM
  • Direction
    One Direction
  • Physical rating
    Hard

Directions

  1. Bike southwest on Blue Canyon Trail.
  2. Continue for 20 meters.
  3. Bike west on Black Canyon.
  4. Continue for 1 kilometer.
  5. Bike west on Black Canyon.
  6. Continue for 900 meters.
  7. Bike west on Black Canyon.
  8. Continue for 80 meters.
  9. Bike southeast on Gramont Peak Trail.
  10. Continue for 70 meters.
  11. Bike east on Gramont Peak Trail.
  12. Continue for 500 meters.
  13. Bike northeast on Gramont Peak Trail.
  14. Continue for 400 meters.
  15. Bike north on Gramont Peak Trail.
  16. Continue for 300 meters.
  17. Bike north on Descansos Trail.
  18. Continue for 500 meters.
  19. Bike northeast on Descansos Trail.
  20. Continue for 1 kilometer.
  21. Bike northeast on Descansos Trail.
  22. Continue for 800 meters.
  23. Bike southeast on Descansos Trail.
  24. Continue for 200 meters.
  25. Bike northeast on Descansos Approach Trail.
  26. Continue for 400 meters.
  27. Bike east on Descansos Approach Trail.
  28. Continue for 200 meters.
Avg: 5 (1 votes)
close
Trail transparency
  • Singletrack
  • Unpaved
mtb
115
mtb
107
mtb
106
mtb
92
Upper Descansos Tech
mtb
Upper Descansos Tech
0:15 | 50 | comments: 0 | favs:
Feb 6, 2024
One of the less spicy tech sections on the upper part of Descansos before dropping into the Dirt Wall trail head. Rider: Eli Quinn

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
Gramont Peak Trail
Feb 27, 2026 @ 2:18pm (America/Ciudad_Juarez)
Feb 27, 2026
Loose rocks as usual but getting a little worse higher up
Black Canyon
Feb 27, 2026 @ 2:18pm (America/Ciudad_Juarez)
Feb 27, 2026
Descansos Trail
Feb 27, 2026 @ 2:18pm (America/Ciudad_Juarez)
Feb 27, 2026
Descansos Approach Trail
Feb 24, 2024 @ 2:36am
Feb 24, 2024
Getting a burned in line over time, almost there...
more reports »
  • By robselinaTF Pro STA & contributors
  • #52813 - 824 views

Hit the Trail

Open in App

Get this route on your phone instantly.

Download Route

Save to wishlist, Garmin & download.