Rancho Viejo Backountry Loop route

Looking for a backcountry ride in the Sangre de Cristo mountains? Here's your loop. This route is less used than most other Santa Fe area trails, thus backcountry navigation, spare parts, and some common sense are a must.

Starting at the bottom of Pacheco Canyon, start with a gravel grind up Pacheco (FR 102) for a few miles. Use your GPS or other devices to find the turnoff to the Mineral Trail. The climb up Mineral is mellow singletrack after the first few steeps.

Mineral will intersect the middle segment of Rio en Medio trail. Descend the fun twistys down to the rio where you'll see your first Borrego Trail sign. Follow that and continue climbing, connect to another forest road for a short stint, then prepare yourself for an awesome descent.

Descend along the Rio Nambe trail and enjoy the solitude. The trail is chunky with some good flow and beautiful scenery. At the bottom, you'll have one of your first river crossings.

Now you will begin a series of up and down descents and river crossings. Again, use your navigation device as parts of the trail tend to disappear.

Once you reach the lowest point, you will start to head west again, beginning with a drainage hike-a-bike. At the top, you'll be rewarded with an excellent descent and great views. Again, another hike-a-bike over the next ridge, then you're descending back to Rio en Medio trail. This descent is fast and technical, enjoy!

The final climb connects to the Double Discount trail which climbs for a short, but steep while then has a ripping descent back to the creek. Climb the old fire road out to Pacheco Canyon road and enjoy a cold one.

This route is Unsanctioned, Ride at your own Risk!