San Ysidro This area is public land (BLM) and is dedicated to trials riding. Directions: North from Albuquerque to Bernalillo (about 15 miles) then west on NM44 (550) about 22 miles to San Ysidro. Caution: don't speed through San Y! Proceed west on NM44 (550) towards Cuba one mile. On the north side of the road will be a gate. This gate is unlocked on trials days (but please close it behind you). On other days it is locked; contact a club member for entry. The riding areas are 1.2 miles up a sandy/dirt road which is usually passable by any vehicle.

Spark arresters are required.
This area is dedicated for trials. MX'ers, ATV's, and other such vehicles are not allowed.
The area is sometimes grazed, and it is not unusual for hikers to be in the area; please play well with others!
Map of the riding area

Las Vegas (map) A brand new site in 2007, at Alan Witter's ranch. Great place, endless riding. Elevation 6770'.
Everybody had a ball!   Here's the info....
Scouting trip report
Directions

Roswell Haystack Mountain is really more of a rocky area of canyons and valleys along the caprock between Roswell and Portales. This is BLM land and is designated for off-road riding of all types. There are picnic shelters and a toilet. We have a 2-day event here every year. No water is available, and it's 20 miles back to town.

To get there, take Hwy 70 northeast from Roswell towards Portales. Hwy 70 splits off from Highway 285 at the very far north end of town. Go about 20 miles until you see the microwave towers on the north side of the highway. The parking area is immediately behind them. The entrance road is just east of the towers-- it's a little hard to find, especially at night. Beware of high-speed traffic that's not expecting you to be turning!

Sipapu Ski Area (map) We're really fortunate to have access to Sipapu Ski Area (website here) for a yearly trials. Depending on the fire danger, we may ride up the ski hill (check your jetting!) or may need to stay down by the river. The facility has lots of lodging options available, and there's plenty of room for RV camping in the parking lot. The restaurant is open, and ye Webdude highly recommends the Sipaburger. The sweet-potato fries w/ sauce are also worth checking out. There are usually a couple of "stadium" sections that are a blast!

Research results: Which way to go? Nambe-Chimayo-Truchas on the "High Road", or through Espanola on the main highway? Extensive research (one trip) indicated that the High Road is 34.5 miles from Nambe to Penasco, and the Espanola route is 44 miles. Times were 50 minutes for the High Road and 55 through Espanola.

Bear Canyon (map) Located in the Jemez Mountains, this is a relatively new riding spot. We had a trials there in '01, and everybody had a blast. Plenty of camping area. Unfortunately, our '02 event was all set and ready to go, when a fire broke out in the area (see Lakefork Photos) and it was cancelled. In 2003, we had a 2-day event.

Directions: Take Highway 4 North from San Ysidro to La Cueva. West on State Road 126 just past the Geothermal Site. Turn right on Forest Road 144 approximately 2.8 miles to Bear Canyon. (You'll be on the ridge looking down on everybody else just before the turnoff.)

Spruce Canyon (map) Spruce is a NMTA tradition.... and a popular trials, especially if you like logs! From Highway 4, take Forest Road 289 for about 2.2 miles... then just past the Bandelier Monument/Santa Fe National Forest boundary, take a left, and follow the flagging (see map). There are no "facilities" or water, but plenty of room for camping.

Lakefork Canyon (map1, overview and map2, zoom in) This one is an NMTA tradition also.... Go north from San Ysidro, through Jemez Springs to La Cueva Junction. Go left, heading towards Fenton Lake. (If you do this right, you'll never get to Fenton Lake). The road will take you up a steep grade, and a goodly way to the top, Forest Road 376 will go off to the left. Head down that for a couple miles (you'll be going down Lake Fork Canyon) , and the camping spot is along the road on your left. Elevation 8200'.

PS1: This road continues down Lake Fork through the tunnels and comes back to Hwy. 4 between Jemez Springs and Jemez Pueblo (near Canon). A nice drive on a fairly good dirt road. The tunnels and associated gorge are really cool.

PS2: Be VERY careful through Jemez Springs. Speed traps.

David Old's Viveash Ranch Roughly 18 miles east of Santa Fe to Pecos, then 15 miles northish (12 miles of dirt road) to the ranch. Map

Directions:
From ABQ: I-25 north, 28 miles past Santa Fe, exit at Glorieta/Pecos. Turn left over the overpass and then right on Hwy. 50 east towards Pecos. (left goes to the Baptist Conference Center). Coming into Pecos, proceed Straight ahead (Shell station and general store to the right for supplies) Cross the Pecos River, continue uphill, one stop sign, straight ahead about two miles to the end of the pavement. Straight ahead one mile on the dirt road then turn left. 11 miles to my gate, one more mile to HQ. Figure an hour or better for the drive on the dirt. Only one road really. About 9 miles up you come to the edge of the Viveash Fireline and you will see a forty mile swath of devastation to the east.

Yes, we have lots of places to camp. I have water up there, a couple of outhouses and lots of places to ride and not much else.

If it rains a lot, the road can get nearly impassable to anything but real 4x4's and even they can have a wild ride of it. If it rains, the only and best solution is to wait it out and let the road dry out. It drains well and it is a rare occasion when it hasn't gotten dry enough to get out (or up) by the next day, hopefully before it rains again!

Holbrook, AZ A trials held in the fall, put on by the Central Arizona Trials (CAT) club. Many NMTA members head on over there for a good time.... about 255 miles from Albuquerque. Held right on the edge of town, camping at the site, always a fun trials. Elevation 5200'. Map

Angel Fire We've had trials there in 2006 and 2007, in conjunction with the Weberacing.com hare scrambles. The best instructions are to go to the ski area ( overview (70k)  more detailed (30k) a real closeup (20k) ) then take a dirt road to the "back basin". Pretty straightforward!

Lodging: Thanks to Nadine, here are some contacts for info and making reservations. From the web site, it looks like there are lots available!
Discoverangelfire.com
email: reserve@angelfirenm.us
505-377-6062