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Quaking Aspen
7 reviews
4.29 of 5
Just follow the single track up the mountain. You will go through ponderosa pine forests and up the occasional drainage ditch. There will be some trails that shoot off occasionally, but it's easy to pick out the main trail. And yes, the trail does go under one cattle fence... so don't be surprised. When you get to the top, you can go right on the dual track road to head back down. Or come back the way you went up if you want to take single-track back.
From Gallup, take I-40 east to the Fort Wingate (Route 400) exit. Follow Rt. 400 north, past Fort Wingate, toward McGaffey Lake. Turn right onto the dirt road about 1/2 mile before the Quaking Aspen campground. Park just on the other side of the cattle guard, and the trail heads off to the left.
Summary: Actually ridden twice (in a row): it was that much fun. I have to give it a "4" overall only due to its proximity to the stellar High Desert Trail System. In terms of fun it's a "5", though. The woods and meadows are very pleasing, as is the quality of most of the genuine singletrack, with some of it showing its age. Interesting features include riding on the "bedrock" and coming as close as you can on a bike to flying back along the fenceline. For difficulty there are a few rock steps here and there and some short bits of loose. Rippin' fast or scenic slow, you will enjoy your time here.
Recommended Route: Stan's directions in "Gallup Waypoints" couldn't possibly be improved upon. First ride "Quaking Aspen" #10, CLIMBING up the namesake trail then returning to the trailhead via Turkey Nest and Y2K Trails. Continue on through the trailhead to ride "Quaking Aspen Classic" #2 ultimately DESCENDING Quaking Aspen Trail.
Other recommended trails in the same area: High Desert Trail System
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Summary: The McGaffey Area trail system has recently (2007) been designated as a mountain bike system by the US Forest Service. Currently 26 miles of trail are under improvement (signage, cattleguards through fences, trailhead development) and an additional 40 miles are being prepared for future designation. Much of the singletrack has been in existence for 10 years or more. This is true cross country riding; flowing trails through a mixture of Ponderosa forest, open mountain meadows, logging railroad corridors, and rocky canyon drainages.
Recommended Route: Take the Quaking Aspen Trail up to Sheetrock Tank, then return via Turkey Nest and Y2K trails. This loop is approximately 9 miles long and a good introduction to Zuni Mountain singletrack.
If you feel hardcore, try looping together Purple Haze, Milk Ranch, Quasimodo, Smokin Handlebar, and Quaking Aspen trails.
A copy of the Gallup Waypoints (gallupwaypoints.com) trail guide is a good idea.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Further back in the Zuni Mts. is the Twin Springs Trailhead, which gives access to many miles of primitive trail in the Rincon/Cottonwood Canyon area. These existing trails (game, cow, slickrock, logging, railroad) offer spectacular vistas, flowery mountain meadows, cool summer breezes.
The nearby High Desert Trail just north of Gallup is an excellent ride. During the hot summer months it's best to ride early or late. This trail has map/signs at all intersections, so you don't need a map to ride the trail.
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Summary: This ride was on the tail end of a week trip- but what a nice last ride, and we liked! and even found a way to get lost- we tend to do that. We were riding it in a loop instead of coming back down the 3-4 mile climb up to the alpine lake- I will be back this year to ride some more trail in this area.
I thought the trail bed was excellent and beautiful place to ride.
Recommended Route: for me up and find my way over to broken nose and finish as a loop.
Other recommended trails in the same area: high desert trail system.
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Summary: This Trail is one of the best the Zuni Mountains have to offer. There are a lot more trails in this area since these were posted. Please check out: www (dot) gallupwaypoints (dot) com for the most comprehensive list of all the trails in the Gallup Area. There is ,also, a new bike shop (High Mesa Bikes and Gear) as the former SB has closed...
Other recommended trails in the same area: Plush, Y2K, Purple Haze, Milk Ranch Loop, Tampico Springs, Quasimoto...www (dot) gallupwaypoints (dot) com
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Review Date August 23, 2003
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty 3 of 5
Technical Difficulty 3 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a week
Visitors rate this review 5.00 of 5,
3 votes
Reviewed by: bsieb
,
Cross Country Rider
, from Gallup, New Mexico
Summary: A 12" tread with a smooth groovy rythmn fast as you dare to go, a few short intense climbs thrown in on the otherwise gentle ups.
The locals ride on Wed evenings and Sundays at 1 pm. Get details at the Scoreboard Bike Shop, Downtown Gallup.
Recommended Route: Ride Quaking Aspen to the pond, then over the small wood bridge to Turkey Nest and Y2K, a scant 10 mile loop with a 3.5 mile climb and a 6.5 mile smokin' down.
Other recommended trails in the same area: The trailhead at mile marker 3 serves a 30+ mile stacked loop single track system.
The Plush Trail is true "smack-track"!
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4.29 of 5
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