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9.0 miles
Distance
1,363 ft
Climb
-1,363 ft
Descent
1 mile
High Point
5,500 ft
Altitude min
5,500 ft
Altitude start
5,502 ft
Altitude end
-30.7%
Grade max
38.6%
Grade min
4 miles
Distance climb
4 miles
Distance down
4,603 ft
Distance flat
This is an extremely demanding loop with chunky sandstone and rocky ledges. Very steep extended climbs wind up the stairway that eventually gives way to a sandstone descent back down to the parking lot. There are some sandy sections on the evacuation line trail. To Stan this loop if you can hook a left at the bottom of Chunk Suey just before the evacuation line trail begins and finish off with the old Classic Loop (this will just about double your mileage.
For a little less craziness, do the Red Classic Loop first If this is your fist time to red mesa. Save stairway to hell for your next ride.
Detailed Description
Stairway Loop is a 9 mile popular proline route located near San Ysidro New Mexico. This mountain bike only route can be used one direction and has a extreme overall physical rating. This route includes 7 trails. This route climbs 1,363 ft with a max elevation of 6,563 ft then descends -1,363 ft.
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Stats
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Distance9 miles
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Avg time1 hr 41 min
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Altitude min5,500 ft
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Altitude start5,500 ft
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Altitude end5,502 ft
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Climb1,363 ft
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Descent-1,363 ft
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Grade max-30.7%
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Grade min38.6%
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Distance climb4 miles
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Distance down4 miles
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Distance flat4,603 ft
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Trails in Route
| 3 miles | |||||
| 1,388 ft | |||||
| 1 mile | |||||
| 541 ft | |||||
| 2,815 ft | |||||
| 1 mile |
Details
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Riding area
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Primary ActivityMountain Bike
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Difficulty ratingProline
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Route TypeLoop
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eBike Allowed
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Bike typeAM, XC, Fat, Trials
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DirectionOne Direction
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Physical ratingExtreme
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Activity Logs
Directions
- Bike south on Red Line Ridge.
- Continue for 10 meters.
- Turn right onto San Ysidro Access Road.
- Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
- Turn left onto Red Classic Loop.
- Continue for 2 kilometers.
- Bike southwest on Stairway To Hell.
- Continue for 5 kilometers.
- Turn left onto Ktulu Ridge Descent.
- Continue for 500 meters.
- Turn left onto Hogsback Descent.
- Continue for 2 kilometers.
- Turn right onto Pothole Canyon.
- Continue for 3 kilometers.
- Turn right onto San Ysidro Access Road.
- Continue for 200 meters.
- Turn left onto Red Line Ridge.
- Continue for less than 10 meters.
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Photos
Videos
mtb
Different Goals, Same Struggle: Stairway Part II
trail: Evacuation Line
24:50 | 150 | comments: 0 | favs:
Feb 2, 2025
mtb
Different Goals, Same Struggle: Stairway Part II
trail: Chunk Suey Descent
24:50 | 142 | comments: 0 | favs:
Feb 2, 2025
Recent Trail Reports Along Route
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- By TerraFormer
MFBS & contributors - #18340 - 2,128 views
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