New Mexico Trails

The Manzanita Mountains Trail System provides access to a number of wooded canyons, open meadows and limestone pavements in a multi-use area consisting of hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, OHV, and 4WD use trails. The towers atop the 7,767-foot Cedro Peak are visible for miles and they provide an easy point of reference as you explore a landscape where high mountain desert meets forest - pinon pine, juniper, and cedar coexist with yucca, cholla and prickly pear cacti. Within 15 minutes of Albuquerque and easy access to the clean air of the Cibola National Forest, this trail a natural destination for offroad enthusiasts.

Goose Lake is the best known trail in the Red River, NM area. The trail can be full of surprises that can take a seemingly easy trail and offer you challenges. Seasonal changes create fun adventures ranging from easy family favorite water crossings to adrenaline junkie snow wheeling. Immediately you are faced with a drive through the river with depths that have ended more than one adventure before it could start. From the river the trail climbs the mountain which leads to a shelf road with plenty of room for one vehicle, but will make for creative parking when you pass opposing traffic. A "cave" and remnants of mining cabins from the late 1800s and smaller water crossings further the adventure. Reaching the crystal clear lake provides photo opportunities as well as fishing, hiking, or primitive camping. Wildlife like Marmots and Rams can often be seen on the ridge surrounding the lake.

There is a discrepancy between the Motor Vehicle Use Map and the signage along this trail. The MVUM is the legal binding document showing the first half as a 50" and under trail and not legal for full size vehicles, as where the on trail signage states otherwise. Due to the nature of the MVUM being the legal document, we advise that this trail is 50" and under. We are working with the Forest Service to determine if the signage is correct, or if the map is correct. Old Red River Pass Trail is closed for repair. Forest Road 488 is the only Entrance and Exit for Full Size Vehicles at this time. Remember to Stay on Forest Road 488 as it borders Enchanted Circle Cross Country Skiing Area which are not trails open to motorized use! 4th of July Canyon is a "choose your own adventure style of trail." You can make it as challenging or easy as you want. Photo opportunities abound of the Sangre de Christo mountains and spacious meadows.

Greenie Peak located in the Carson National Forest is the highest peak accessible to motorized travel in New Mexico. Upon reaching the peak you will have sweeping views of the Wheeler Peak Wilderness and also a bird's eye view of the Red River Ski Resort. For anyone touring the Enchanted Circle this high altitude adventure is a must.

At over a hundred years old, the Old Red River Pass is a trail with some history. This was the only eastern access into the town of Red River until the mid 1960s. Considering the town began to gain popularity as a tourist destination in the 1930s, it is fun to imagine what it was like to travel in the family station wagon down these switchbacks for the annual family vacation. Now the Old Red River Pass is a Forest Road with little maintenance, so high clearance vehicles are required. On the climb up the pass you will encounter spectacular views of the town and the Wheeler Peak wilderness.

The drive through Las Huertas Canyon in the Sandia Mountain Wilderness is a popular one due to its close proximity to the Albuquerque Metropolitan Area. In addition to providing an alternate route to Sandia Peak, this trail offers people an escape into a cool pine forest, away from the heat and bustle of nearby cities and towns. This trail also provides access to two large group picnic sites (Las Huertas and Balsam Glade), limitless hiking opportunities, and the Sandia Cave archaeological site. The Sandia Cave (a.k.a. Sandia Man Cave) is a National Historic Landmark that has played an important role in the history of archaeological thought about the Paleoindian period and Southwestern archaeology. It is located high up on the steep cliff walls of Las Huertas Canyon. Las Huertas Creek, which is adjacent to the trail, is the only year-round stream in the Sandia Range. The water draws birds and other wildlife to the picnic grounds and surrounding areas. aspen and fir trees surround the trail, providing shade from the sun.

Water, this Jeep trail is for those who like to splash through the water. Situated adjacent to the Red River Ski Resort, the trail will treat you to the benefits of all the snow melt. It is not a long trail but allows you to play in the water, in fact the trail forces you to play in the water! Pioneer Creek steps up the water play by having the creek run directly down the trail for more than a quarter of the length of the trail. With the trailhead located in downtown Red River and being relatively short, it is a perfect trail for those with a tight schedule but a desire to explore the Carson National Forest.

Some of the finest mountain scenery in the southwest is found in the 1.6-million-acre Santa Fe National Forest, and wheeling on Forest Road 376 is a great way to enjoy it. Tall ponderosa pines, aspens, scrub oak, and grassy meadows frame a scenic Jemez Mountain trail that is one of New Mexico's outdoor treasures. As the trail starts out at the historic Gilman Tunnels, the Rio Guadalupe runs alongside the east side of the trail and offers trout fishing adjacent to numerous parking turnouts and picnicking sites. As the trail runs through Lake Fork Canyon in the north, the Rio Cebolla runs along its east side. The Jemez Mountains are very important to the Native American people of the Jemez Pueblo. The Walatowa Visitor Center located near Jemez Pueblo on State Highway 4 is a great way to learn about the rich culture of the area.

The first trail marker you encounter heading south on Forest Road 13 bears an icon of a mountain goat, which is appropriate, because you are about to go for a climb! The northern half of this trail is steep and rocky as you head toward Cedro Peak and an elevation of 7500 feet. Midway through, dense pinon and cedar forest will briefly give way to beautiful long range views of the Manzano Mountains to the south and the towers atop Cedro Peak to the west. Whether you enjoy wheeling overland, in snow, mud or on rocky inclines, FR13 will have a little bit of each depending on the season. The area boasts more than 300 days of sunshine annually so there is ample opportunity to get out and enjoy this trail and others in the Manzanita Mountains Trail System.

Forest Road 542 is located in the Manzanita Mountains south of Interstate 40 within the Sandia Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest. Just under 15 minutes from Albuquerque, this trail, which is part of the Manzanita Mountains Trail System provides an opportunity to quickly get out of the city and into nature without much fuss. FR542 is relatively easy to traverse and perfect for someone wanting to ease into off-roading and learn to use their 4WD vehicle; however, it also offers optional challenges, including a set of 12”-18” shelves off to the side of one section of the trail for the more adventurous wheeler. The Manzanita Mountains Recreation Zone doesn’t have an amenity fee and is open year-round. With trails for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, OHV riding and motorized vehicle use, along with camping, picnic sites and beautiful views from within a fresh pine forest, this area has something for everyone. The Manzanitas Mountains are adjacent to the Manzano Mountain Wilderness. Manzanita is Spanish for “little apple.” The village of Manzano (apple), as well as the mountains, got their name from explorers in the 1700s who noticed very old apple trees growing there – a curiosity to them as apple trees are not native to this country.