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Tags:
Level: Intermediate
Length: 16 mi (25.7 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Network
Elevation: +4,145/ -280 ft
Total: 88 riders
Mountain Biking Elena Gallegos Open Space / North Foothills
#3 of 283 mountain bike trails in New Mexico
Park at the Cottonwood Springs Trail parking lot for easy access to this fun loop. Trail runs counter-clockwise. From the start point head up to 230a then East passing the 230a/342 junction (0.5 mi) on to the 230a/341 junction (0.2 mi). From the 230a/341 junction head North riding 230 to the top of the mountain. Couple of fun technical challenges along this leg of the loop. Once you get to the top of the trail 230 will start to head West. From this point down to the 230/365 junction it's a rocky downhill. The big payoff! Once you get to the 230/365 junction head South on 365 to meet back up with 230a and finish off the loop.
First added by afru on Apr 23, 2009. Last updated Apr 28, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
To access the park from I-40, exit on to Tramway heading North. After Academy Road turn right onto Simms Park Road (look for the brown recreation sign) and travel east to the Information Center. Cottonwood Springs Trail parking is on the North side of the Open Space.
System trails (2)
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Overall great single track. It has a little bit of everything from slight uphill climbs, technical sections and winding downhill sections. Great trail for both hardtails and full suspension. Trail is a little sandy and lose in some sections.
| ThankThe route described (230a to 341 to 365) is only three miles long. We road it counter-clockwise, as suggested. Has some nice technical areas, some fun downhill, and beautiful views.
| ThankNice afternoon/after work ride.
| ThankGot a good ride out of 280 dirt was packed made it nice and fast in most parts
| ThankFast fun wide local single track. Old school locals ride this counter clockwise from the south trailhead toward the tram in the north. Great place for seasoned beginners.
| ThankA GREAT TRAIL. Pay $2.00 at the drop box and head out into the mountain. Several options to ride in this area. Short fast flow or a longer climb with rewarding descents. I rode after a snow fall, so it was a bit difficult. Local shops recommend this trail system. Several options for a great experience.
| ThankFun riding without any major obstacles. Some nice extended climbs to improve fitness with a few mild descents. Perfect for when you just wanna put the tires in the dirt.
| ThankJust OK. Loose rock, some climbs that surprise you when you measure them on strava compared to actually climbing them. Fun trails though. Cactuses are poky.
| Thankfun track would definitely go back. fairly fast and exiting but too many cacti
| ThankReally great, intermediate/beginner level set of trails that can be strung together for a pretty flowy ride. Heading towards the foothills is more uphill than it looks but the payoff is pretty awesome.
| ThankFun, a little bit of everything
| ThankThis looks like trail 365 from the Michael Emery trail head at the top of Spain. This is a nice ride that connects to several other trails. You can ride as long or as short as you like and tailor the ride to your skill level. There is a pretty technical rock garden in Elena Gallegos park.
| ThankThere are some great views of the city and of the mountains.
A map of all the trails in the foothills can be found on the City of Albuquerque's website at http://www.cabq.gov/parksandrecreation/recreation/documents/foothillsmap.pdf/view
There is quite a bit of pea gravel on this trail, but it's good for an after work ride.
| ThankThis area is perfect for a quick after-work ride. With mostly smooth trails and fast flowing curves and hills it's pretty fun. North Elena Gallegos near the tram gets fairly technical with rock gardens and a couple of seemingly dangerous drops. Once you ride the drops though, it's something that you definately would climb back up to repeat that section. Be sure to look as far ahead as possible. Some bikers and joggers going the opposite direction can come up quickly.
| ThankGreat after work ride! Nice smooth single track. Rolling terrain with not many challenging climbs.
| ThankSurprisingly fun for a local crag. Not many cities can boast such a great place right in the city.
| ThankI think this area is pretty under-rated. Trail 265 is great for practicing technical riding with rock gardens, a couple short, steep spots, and some rocky step-ups.
The rest of the area is fairly tame, but good for maintaining fitness in the winter.
| ThankThis is a fun trail system (which is much more expansive than 12 miles). Beginners and experts can both find something to love up here among breathtaking views. You can easily make a day of this trail system!
| ThankGreat collection of trails that can be used in different combinations. I would suggest parking at the end of Academy at the Emery Trailhead or at the end of Montgomery as these parking lots do not require a fee. There are long, steady sections that will challenge your cardio and leg muscles. There is also a 2 mile stretch of trail that branches off from checkpoint 3113D that goes all the way to Tower 1, the first tower of the Sandia Peak Tramway. From 3113C to the top of the climb halfway to 3113D are great little sections you can use to practice your technical climbing skills. The decent to 3113D provides cornering practice in rocky terrain. Great After-Work ride during the summer months.
| ThankThis is a short 1 mile extension to the Elena Gallegos Open Space trailhead located roughly at the end of Montgomery. Nothing too difficult but there are a couple of little technical sections.* Review edited 8/1/2012
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