Northside's trail system allows for a multitude of ride configurations. Loops can be ridden clockwise, counter clockwise, in a Figure 8, all road or a mix of road and singletrack.

 

Please study the trail map so that you will get the best experience, and keep an eye out for the singletrack turn-offs.

 

We do our best with the signage budget we have, but the signs are NOT fluorescent pink mounted on posts right next to the trail. Signs are posted at both ends of EVERY trail usually on trees, and we have hung orange or pink ribbon to help you notice them.

 

For the sake of simplicity, the 5 rides here are all outlined in a clockwise configuration.

MTB Project - ALPINE WILDFLOWER LOOP (10.3 mi.)
Here is one of our favorite rides with GPS tracks and all the data. Optional jaunt to the top of Frazer Mtn. (or Bull of the Woods Mtn.) included.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please note that with the new Gold Camp Trail recently completed, the Alpine Wildflower Loop needs to be updated. The new change will be to ride up and down on the Gold Camp Trail (not riding Bull Of The Road up).

 

CROSSOVER LOOP (approx. 9 mi.)

This is a great ride if you don't care for the extra climb up Malachite to the High T trail. Awesome views included. Can be ridden in either direction, but clockwise is the fav.

  • Take Gold Camp Trail to Sawmill Trail.
  • Ride Sawmill, Steam Engine, Redi's Run, Antoine's Corner to the Red River Canyon Overlook.
  • Take Bull of the Woods Trail to Crossover
  • Crossover to Overlook Trail with optional expert route on Deer Trail to Overlook Trail
  • Frazer Mtn. Rd. to Dark Trail
  • Back down Frazer Mtn. Rd. to Late Afternoon
  • Down Big Daddy to Gold Camp Trail and back to trailhead

 

 

 

FIGURE 8 LOOP

Can be ridden in either direction.

  • Take Gold Camp Trail to Sawmill Trail.
  • Ride Sawmill, Steam Engine, Redi's Run, Antoine's Corner to the Red River Canyon Overlook.
  • Take Bull of the Woods Trail to Crossover
  • Optional expert route - Deer Trail to Frazer Mtn. Rd.
  • Climb Frazer Mtn. Rd. to High T trail
  • High point of loop is here, unless you climb to the top of Frazer Mountain.
  • High T to Wheeler Peak Trail and down (don't miss the trail split)
  • At the signs, ride uphill a short way to Malachite Trail
  • Malachite to Sheepherders to Red River Canyon Overlook
  • Hang a right on Antoine's Corner
  • Redi's Run to Steam Engine
  • Steam Engine to Sawmill
  • Gold Camp Trail and back to the trailhead

 

 

FRAZER MOUNTAIN SUMMIT (12,163 ft.)

Riding Frazer Mtn. Road to the summit is the shortest route (5.5 mi.), but not the most enjoyable. We think the best route is to ride the Alpine Wildflower Loop (see above).

 

You have two options when you reach the High T trail, either ride High T to Frazer Mtn. Rd. and on up to the summit, or stay on Wheeler Peak Trail to a cutoff where you will ride down to Frazer Mtn. Rd. (the last stretch of Wheeler Peak Trail is too rocky to ride) and on up the road to the summit.

 

There are two ways to ride down. Ride the Wheeler Peak Trail to Malachite and back down to way you came up, or ride to the the High T trail and traverse over to Frazer Mtn. Rd. and down to Ox Cart. Follow the Alpine Wildflower Loop back to the trailhead.

 

 

BULL OF THE WOODS MOUNTAIN SUMMIT
(approx. 11,650 ft.)

This is a great summit ride if Frazer Mountain is out of reach. Follow the Alpine Wildflower Loop (see above) to the high point of Malachite Trail. Hang a sharp right on Bull of the Woods Trail to the top of Bull of the Woods Mountain. Beautiful views of Gold Hill, the village and LaCal Basin.

 

Continue the Alpine Wildflower Loop back to the trailhead.

 

Northside at Taos Ski Valley