Review Date
April 19, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: NoTrace ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Beautiful ride through the very hostile desert terrain. There are multiple singletrack segments at the start of the ride that cross a jeep road several times. The beginning of the trail is moderate singletrack for intermediate mountain bike skill levels. Those with more skill and stamina will enjoy the last 1/2, and those who want to be way out there (and have good desert survival skills) will enjoy the Dome.

Take LOTS OF WATER, tubes with sealant and a GPS unit if you have one. The hostile terrain, heat and mountain lions make this a good ride to do with a friend. Start early in the day; even in April it can hit 100 in the early afternoon.

Recommended Route:
Start at the East trailhead and take the singletrack trail from the west side of the lot. It will intersect a jeep road, from which you may ride other singletrack spurs until you get to the Dome trail. Take the Dome for a very challenging ride (climbing and exposure), or the inner "white" loop (which is only rated advanced). Both end at the west trailhead: you may loop back on a hilly 7.7 miles on Hwy 170 along the Rio Grande, or turn around at the Dome turn-off and ride the jeep road back.

Review Date
April 17, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: boisebomber ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
take contrabndo west TH , west of Lajitas. TH sign on RR 170.

ride Contradando west to junction of Dome trail.
Dome trial circles back to Contrando west 4 miles later. makes a 10-11 mile loop. dome is tuff single track which rises about 500' to 600'. Navigate mainly by cairns and intuiton.

great vistas, abandonned silver mine, ruins of old ranch.

stop at Warncok Visitor Center for Maps.

once hit trail you will be very isolated. most unlilkey to see another biker or hiker.

be prepared....take lots of water.

Recommended Route:
Contrabando west to Dome Trail.