Reviewed by: Jesse Pyeatt , from Boulder, CO

Summary:
Prolly my favorite trail. There's a lot of climbing and a ton of technical riding due to the vertical rise. Additionally, there's a fair bit of loose rock/dirt riding that makes it all the more interesting. As mentioned by others, the errosion barriers make for rough climbs and really fun downhill. If you need a short ride, there's several summit points that work well as turning-around points... still giving you a sense of accomplishment. To really ride it well, I'd suguest moderate to advanced riders. Otherwise the climbs could be very discouraging and the downhill lethal. Anyways, stop reading and GO RIDE!!!!

Recommended Route:
Ask for directions to St. John's College. Rather than drive to the second (higher) trailhead, park at St. John's. There's parking set aside just for the trailhead. This gives you a longer ride plus you don't have to do any riding in the Gated Communities.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Windsor, Rail-line to ElDorado/Lamy, Dale Ball

Reviewed by: Tom , from Santa Fe

Summary:
The trail has some errosion barriers which makes for technical climbing at times and it does seperate the advanced riders from the pack. It hurts, and I'm not a weenie boy or anything but man can this thing get you sore. Try to climb everything! If you can make it all the way to the top without a foot down (dab is such a stupid term) then the beers are on me . I love this trail in the morning, but it get's crowded from the college at times. Avoid the five o'clock blues and durring the monsoons watch out for fast moving storms. Shirly Mclain's lame attemt to build a monster home on this mountain was thwarted by the local gov. and the Trust for Public Lands came into the picture. This left us with a bad taste in our mouth for people like Mclain, but we still use her drive way to hit 45+ speeds down to the bottom. The driveway is midway up the Atalaya, but it takes you into a gated community, I'v never been hasseled but it might be poaching?

Recommended Route:
Park in the Saint Johns Parking lot (first on left), you will see the national forest signs. Go left at the Atalaya fork and continue

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Dorthy Stewart

Reviewed by: Matt , from Albuquerque

Summary:
This trail is awesome, but the information above is totally incorrect. The total elevation gain is around 1700-ft, not the 3k embelished above. However, there are sections of this ride that are just too steep to ride up, so be prepared to push at the very top. Basically there are two view points that you will reach, with the first about halfway. when you get there look at the views, then turn around and look at the almost vertical mountain behind...you gotta climb this. You can make it it in 30-mins from here, then you get to the top of a really cool flat top mountain that you can ride on. Stop for the views and head back or take follow the trail down the back side. If you have the laminated SF forest map you can take trails out back to town. Pretty wild ride, but definately not 3k.

Recommended Route:
Straight up from St. Johns P-lot.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Windsor