5.9 miles
Distance
248 ft
Climb
-616 ft
Descent
00:29:27
Avg time
Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of 18 / Rio Grande del Rancho Trail

Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Carson National Forest - Camino Real Ranger District
    Taos, New Mexico
  • Difficulty Rating
    Green rate
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC, Gravel
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular in reverse
  • Climb Difficulty
    Green
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Family Friendly
    Yes
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • Global Ranking
    #92486 in Mountain Biking
  • Local Popularity
    60 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
  • Land Owner
    USFS

Trail 18 contours above Hwy518 dipping in and out of the drainages and rolling over a few gentle hills. The tread is largely old logging road bed that has returned to single-track characteristics. There are only a few short moderately technical sections, but otherwise the ride is a good cruise through the PJ Forest, and great way to FR437 from town.

Access Info

Access the trail from the small pullout on Hwy 518, 0.7 miles south of the FR437 turnoff. There is no access via the private drives off of 437.

About 1/2 way into the trail, (approx 3 miles) there is a junction for Bear Wallow heading right and it is easy to lose the trail. If you descend at Bear Wallow it will take you down to the 518. The end of the trail is at the junctions of FR's 438 and 440. It opens up to a field which is used as a shooting range so be careful, or just listen carefully.

Disclaimer

Please do not access via the private driveways off of FR437. The official trailhead is off Hwy 518.

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for Trail 18 / Rio Grande del Rancho Trail mountain bike trail trail
  • Altitude change
    -369 ft
  • Altitude min
    7,114 ft
  • Altitude max
    7,516 ft
  • Altitude start
    7,483 ft
  • Altitude end
    7,113 ft
  • Grade
    -1.2%
  • Grade max
    -18.7%
  • Grade min
    10.7%
  • Distance climb
    2 miles
  • Distance down
    4 miles
  • Distance flat
    1,627 ft
  • Avg time
    00:29:27
  • Avg reverse time
    01:03:26
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Sep 15, 2022
Variable
Avg: 3 (1 votes)
Your vote: 0

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  • Basemap 
  • Trail Style 
    • ?
  • Activity Type  
3D
Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Inadequate
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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      Directions to trail-18--rio-grande-del-rancho-trail trailhead (36.272740, -105.569090)
      update trails status or condition

      Trail 18 / Rio... Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Sep 15, 2022 @ 6:45am
      Sep 15, 2022
      		 Per Forest Service 9/14/22 Trail 18 now fully open (FR438 re-opened).
      Aug 24, 2022 @ 8:43am
      Aug 24, 2022
      		 Per Forest Service 8/24/22 Trail 18 now open from Talpa end, FR438 still closed.
      May 17, 2022 @ 6:58am
      May 17, 2022
      		 reporter Drought and area fires have resulted in a forest closure. See taosmtb.org for other area rides.
      May 3, 2022 @ 8:21pm
      May 3, 2022
      		 reporter
      Jul 21, 2021 @ 2:47pm
      Jul 21, 2021
      		 reporter
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 0 rides
      •  
      6 Months
      • 2 rides
      • 16 miles avg distance
      All
      • 5 rides
      • Last: Oct 29, 2022

      Photos

      more »
      54 |
      Aug 27, 2020 @ 5:13pm
      Aug 27, 2020
      63 |
      Mar 13, 2018 @ 6:54pm
      Mar 13, 2018

      1 Review & Comments

      • + 1
      Ak-Dan (Aug 27, 2020 at 17:10)
      This is an ok trail, nice views across the valley. It’s great practice for someone not used to ridding at this elevation. Originally an old double-track the single line has become quite defined over time. Fun water bar jumps and options for B-lines.
      [Reply]





      Videos

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      Nearby Trails

      Carson National Forest - Camino Real Ranger District

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