Reviewed by: SpongeBobDiarrheaPants ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This trail kicks ass. It has just about everything you can ask for - and it was dry in late November. There are nice technical stair steps, some sections of fun rolling singletrack through forests, plenty of rocky descents, and a cool climb up the creek bed. I wish my commute to work was like that. I also wish I could stop crapping my underpants and wetting my bed.

Recommended Route:
We did the ride from the Tunnel Canyon TH, then headed up Otero Canyon, north back to the top of Tunnel Canyon and back to the TH. I'd guess it was about 14 miles or so.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Don't know, I live in Colorado. But I only had one day to ride and I am happy we rode Otero Canyon. IMPEACH BUSH!

Reviewed by: chris ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This is a great trail and the heart of asweet trail system. There are parts of this trail for lots of rider skills and levels. Though the farther you go up the more technical the sections get. Nothing death defying though. Just rock gardens and short steep sections to deal with. Though there is a nice little drop on the lower section to take if you want. It only looks like a foot or so. But then right as your going off you notice that the ground just falls away under you. Runoff water has really eaten away right underneath where your droping from. It's still probably not much more than two feet. But it is always a trip to have the ground fall away under you right when you leap off! :)

Recommended Route:
I fist started riding otero from tunnel canyon. From the map I had I thought it was otero. I would ride over to Otero and take the road back. Then I would double back on the trail. And then I started taking the higher trails and comming back down otero. That is a blast!!! the last couple times it was getting dark as I got to the trail head so I just did an out and back on Otero. That drop is a reall kick in the dark!!! It is amazing what your bike will roll over when you can't quite make out the trail good enough to pick out a line! :)

Other recommended trails in the same area:
If you start at tunnel canyon and go over there is a trail to the right that goes up through some tough rock gardens. When that starts to level out and your hitting lots of root jumps and drops there is another right you can take. This will take you up and out to a whole bunch of trails both double and single track. I got lost up there once and ended up riding in pitch darkness using the stars to keep my direction and ended up at the town of ponderosa pine. I rode the highway back to my car about six miles or so in the darkness. Except for being blinded by the cars comming and going that was an excellent ride down the canyon highway! I got cruisen!!! :)

Reviewed by: Marc Beverly ,  Cross Country Rider , from Tijeras,NM 87059

Summary:
Great trail! I used if for commuting to work for years. Good breakoffs here and there (better know where you're at)...new trails have been made in the last several years and the old maps are void. Better get it now before they close it off to the public!!!

Recommended Route:
As stated above

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Cedro, Faulty Foothills (ABQ), Sandia Peak

Reviewed by: Daman Gecko ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Perhaps my favorite trail in the area because:

1) Its quick to get to
2) Its versatile with many branch-off trails to create any kind of ride you want
3) Its not crowded
4) The downhill back to the parking lot is a cream dream. If you do not agree, sell your bike and get back in spinn class. NO EXCEPTIONS. Its what XC is all about.

Recommended Route:
Start at Rainbow trail. Connect to Otero Canyon (about 1/4 way up) Go to top (the fireroad) Ride the fireroad if you wish Go back down Otero Canton to parking lot, OR at the midpoint clearing, take Rambo back to other parking lot. You must be pretty decent for second option as you may really kill yourself on the 100-yard, steep downhill rockfield.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Anything at Cedro (Lone Pine, Coyote, etc.)