Trip Descriptions

Cholla Groves

Getting There:

From Northern Blvd turn left onto Rainbow Blvd. Rainbow quickly becomes a dirt road. From Northern travel 8 miles and turn left onto dirt road and follow down to a turn-around where there is a dirt bike trail. This is also the starting point for two of the other loops off of Rainbow. They are: Rainbow and North End. Note: the left hand turn off from Rainbow is just past a broken-down camp on the left. If you see a widening of the road where vehicles have been going around a wet area you have gone too far.

Trip Description

Distance: 10.2 miles

Track: Singletrack and Cattle path. Surface and tread vary from hard pack & firm to sandy & soft with some rocky steep climbs. 

Elevation gain: 468 ft

Description: The trail starts off in a cholla grove and goes through some other stands in the lower sections. In the hills above the ride takes you through terrain dominated by juniper and pinyon. While the total elevation is not much there are plenty of climbs and descents with some steep rocky and eroded sections that will call for you to pay attention to your line. There are two arroyo crossings which probably will not be rideable.

The Trip:

MIles Directions

0 35° 22’ 36.07” N x 106° 46’ 11.71” W

Starting at the bottom of the cul-de-sac follow the dirt bike single track (dbst) in a westerly direction. There are some sandy sections but they are generally not a problem.

.9 35° 22’ 55.56” N x 106° 47’ 03.47” W

At a junction of DBSTs turn right and after some flat riding begin a steady climb up into the junipers and pinyon then a series of ups and owns before descending down toward a unrideable arroyo.

2.5 Ignore a trail that goes off to the left and continue straight for about another .15 mile.

2.7 35° 23’ 33.46” N x 106° 48’ 00.46” W

Turn right onto a cattle path which will take you along and above the arroyo.

2.9 35° 22” 40.48” N x 106° 47’ 13.58” W

Turn left onto DBST. In a short while (at the 3 mile mark) you will cross the arroyo you were following. The banks are badly undercut and drop off sharply. It is best to hike-the-bike here to get to the other side. Once across the trail crosses a four wheel track, ignore and continue straight.

3.1 This is the beginning of the worst sand on the ride. In some cases the trail is just wide enough to find some firm ground at the edge and at others the sand fills the entire trail in which case get off to the side the trail, following it, to get some traction until you can get back on where the the tread is firmer. Unfortunately this goes off and on for the next 1.5 miles but it gets better. Enjoy the scenery.

4.9 At the bottom of a descent the trail has been cut in two by a thin steep banked arroyo. Turn right and follow the trail until you can safely cross the arroyo and follow the trail down the other side until you can connect with the original trail.

5.0 Turn right to continue on the original DBST.

5.2  You will come to a very steep and rocky hill. Past this point the riding becomes very difficult for MTBs so turn left and ride down a short wash until you reach another DBST.

5.3 Turn left and descend through a small cholla grove before climbing up a hill. This trail eventually runs along a high rounded ridge with views of cholla groves, arroyos and washes on both sides. The tread on this section if firm until you reach a bottom of a descent and just before you cross an arroyo.

7.0 Cross the arroyo and look for a skinny trail going up the other side. (Dirt bikers follow the arroyo which is a tough .2 + mile slog for MTBs.) Continue on the faint trail and stay above the arroyo until you come to the DBST that comes out of the arroyo.

7.2 Turn left and climb up to a three way junction.

7.5 35° 23’ 20.47’ N x 106° 48’ 19.29” W 

The tread is firm for the most part and the trail has some flowy sections and with exception of one climb very rideable.

8.5 35° 22’ 53.39” N x 106° 47’ 42.54” W

After a fast straight downhill the trail splits into two. Take the trail that veers off to the left fast and at times flowing trip back to your vehicle.

10.2 Trip’s end.