Three Bottles

Three Bottles is an intermediate level trail in the Otero trail system. Three Bottles is somewhat unique in the area in that it is not actually a single trail. What it is, essentially is an intermediate difficulty, bi-directional through trail that has several single direction mini-loops along its length. Each of these mini-loops are of varying difficulty, from intermediate level up to double black diamond level expert lines.

All of these lines are signed, but pay close attention if you are new to the trail, as many people inadvertently end up on a loop going the wrong direction, or become confused when they all of a sudden end up back where they just were, but headed in the opposite direction.

In general follow the arrows of the green signs to stay on the through trail, and any other loops will be marked in either blue (intermediate), black (single black diamond), or red (double black diamond). Heading north to south, is the preferred (descending) direction. Three bottles is not purely descending or ascending in a given direction, however; expect to climb or descend in either direction.

As of Spring 2017, a "flow trail" extension is being built to add additional trail to the north end of Three Bottles. This trail will eventually connect to the south end of Blue Ribbon to avoid the double track section on the ridge. Expect to see this extension finished sometime in 2017.