Dragon's Back, White Cliffs, NM

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Sandoval County, NM, US

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Route-overzicht

Sandra Corso

Adventure Guide & Backcountry Gypsy

13 km

279 m

Ride 15+ miles on colorful and spectacular landscape around Tierra Amarilla Anticline narrow ridge. You will feel like you are riding on top of the world with stunning views of an exotic and rich geological, cultural and paleotological landscape.

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Routedetails

This scenic 8 mile long loop MTB/gravel route is on mostly easy rolling hills with a few exposed and steep sections of single track trails. The start of the route is very easy to find, there are no fees to ride the trails or park your vehicle.  This would be an easy to intermediate entry level ride that would be comfortable for the "weekend warrior".

# Route Info

* White Ridge is named for white colored gypsum that forms most of the local gelologic scenic ridges and mesas. The Western part of the ridge is called the Tierra Amarilla Anticline, a narrow and exotic ridge visited by a number of University Geology students. And the trail runs right thru the very top of this ridge. Nothing but spetacular.

* The route is located on BLM, State Land as well as on a small section of  Zia Pueblo Lands. To the Southwest is the town of San Isydro, Ojito Wilderness is to the West and you can see the  iconic Cabezon Peak to the Nortwest.  This protected landscape is not only geologicaly rich but also well know for it's cultural and paleontological resources.

## Where to park:

From the town of Bernalilo drive North of US-550 for 25.5 miles. Take a left on Cabezon Road and drive for 4.5 miles to @poi[White Ridge parking lot](148742822)

## Route Description Summary

There are two concentric beginner to intermediate trail loops. One consists of a double track trail located in the valley. And the other one is the thrilling West leg of Dragon's Back, located on the West section of the inner loop. And to the East, you find the narrow Gypsium mesa ridge trails.

As you leave the parking lot, check out the detailed map posted at the trailhead. On the very first section of the route, you climb a very short but steep single track path to reach one of the @photo[high points of the route](16978109), followed by @photo[a trail sign](16957903). Ride the next 2.5 miles on a fantastic and exposed @photo[single track](16957913) trail with 360 degrees of amazing views.

Enjoy the views, but be aware of the exposure, and somewhat @photo[challenging terrain](16957910). Here you will have to scramble a section of unstable and steep terrain for about 12 feet. Make sure you have a riding buddy with you to assist with general safety as you scramble to the top of the mesa.

Once you reach the top of this ridge, called the Dragon's extension, the route becomes more technical (black diamond) and steeply descends all the way to the bottom of the base of the ridge system. Enjoy the views of @photo[Rio Salado](16957909) before hiking a bike downhill.

At the bottom of the route (5560') you will connect to the White Mesa Bike trail system and start heading South. Be sure to check out the @photo[colorful springs](16957906) before you start riding the  gypsum rich single tracks.

Once you leave the springs the route climbs back to the @poi[highest point](149049717) of the ridge (6043') in a little over 3 miles. Enjoy the amazing views and finally ride 0.7 mi  back to the parking lot.

## Notes:

* Open all year round. Best time of the year to ride is Spring or Fall. Otherwise it can be uncomfortably hot, and possibly very windy.  
* Reccomended wear: warm layers in the winter/spring a light sun shirt in the late summer/fall
* Refer to MTB Project to choose the appropriate level of route difficulty: 
[https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/207597/dragons-back-trail](http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/207597/dragons-back-trail)
* There is no access to water or food and cell service is intermittent.
* Please remember that the White Ridge Bike Trails area is part of a fragile landscape: Stay on marked trails and roads, park only in designated areas, and carry out everything you carry in.  Bring plenty of water and sunblock.
* Challenges include wind exposure and steep hike a bike sections 
* Route suited for gravel bikes (50+ mm tires) or mountain bikes.

Dragon's Back, White Cliffs, NM

Route-overzicht

Routedetails

Andere routes van Sandra Corso

Beautiful Caja Del Rio Plateau

Iconic Cabezon Peak Loop

Galisteo Basin Fun Loops

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