FR13 - Cibola National Forest

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4.4/5 (7 reviews)
Tijeras, New Mexico (Bernalillo County)
Last Updated: 04/30/2022

Trail Information

Highlights

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.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.4/5 (7)
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Official Crew
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13150
Temporary Closure
Rated 4/5
Visited: 04/30/2022

We ran the Manzanitas trails in late April before the fire closures. At the time, trails were as expected but some stretches of FR 12 have become heavily rutted with lots of evidence of people going off the trail. These trails are currently closed under the Cibola National Forest fire closure order.
Trail Review: FR13 - Cibola National Forest - Scott Mitchell
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 11/27/2021
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

This was my first real off-road experience. We used a 2020 Jeep Gladiator with the off-road package. No other upgrades or mods. We started off of 252 near Cedro peak. The trail is heavily rutted and has lots of protruding rocks ready to snag your undercarriage. When the trail went down ridges there were spots where clearance was pretty tight. Definitely tests your technical abilities. Once we got to 462 it was much easier going. Good time.
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100
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 04/22/2021

Did it today on my stock AT4! The trail was fun and challenging. There were a couple places where rocks were over 20 inches. I made fine, but it is definitely a trail thay requires off roading experience. I used 4x4 high most of the time, only once 4x4 low, but probably was not needed. Highly recommended!
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200
Open
Rated 3/5
Visited: 11/03/2020

Trail was fun in my recently purchased 2012 2dr stock wrangler. Trail was dry but heavily rutted, some moderate rocky obstacles due to stock equipment but that's what made it fun!
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Official Crew
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13150
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 06/16/2019

Went out on Father's Day and the trail was in good shape, just a little mud in the usual spots. Still one of the best trails in the Manzanitas Trail System.
Trail Review: FR13 - Cibola National Forest - Scott Mitchell

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