Reviewed by: chris ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I totally loved it! I was really suprized how great the riding was. Alot of the hiking I have done on Sandia is on pretty smooth trails, and was worried that the trail would be too tame to mountain bike on. NOT Loved the sweet rock stair section down into some canyon, and then on the other side getting out it was nothing but rock gardens for awhile that were really challenging. had to bike a hike and re-start alot, but it was fun. Plus the downhill runs after that section were really sweet.

Recommended Route:
I went up the cei-something horse bypass, to faulty then over and down amijio?? and then back up the horse bypass to my car. Loved the ride. Can't wait to explore more of these trials before the snow hits. Gonna get some snowshoe's so I can be really familiar with this trail system come next spring...and the downhill on Amirijlio?? whatever it is called, was a kick, lots of natural burms, and some good kickers

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Cedro, tunnel canyon, otero, and the trail systems on the back side of otero?? something with an M? there is really alot of trails back there that aren't on any mountain biking maps I have seen? ended up way back up at the town of ponderosa pine one time...

Reviewed by: Ethanbro ,  Cross Country Rider , from Albuquerque, NM

Summary:
Wow, what a workout! My bro and I did the trail backwards, from N to S along the fault line (Faulty Trail). We parked at the Church just across 14 from FS 299 (Canoncito) and rode up 14 to 536 to Sulfer Canyon. Take this picnic grounds parking lot all the way to the top and the trail can be picked up there. Going this direction you have more climbing, but it's nice to get all the climbing out of the way in the beginning. Lots of rock gardens, and some steep downhill sections that are a blast (if you know how to pick a line!) Be prepared to hike-a-bike at times, as in some of the steep sections it's sometimes hard to maintain momentum and keep spinning. Very worthy trail, it's super beautiful, nice rocky challenge, and the climbs will humble you a bit. Going N to S, finding the trail that leads you back down to 299 (cole springs campground) is not too hard, just watch for the signs.
~E

Recommended Route:
see above

Other recommended trails in the same area:
10k, Ellis loop, Oso, King of the Mountain, Watermelon, (the whole east mountain area is killer!)

Reviewed by: mark , from albuq, nm

Summary:
Found the trail w/difficulty at the edge of the cemetary...no tresspassing signs ALL OVER. Very steep and rocky for the first segment...came to a service road and was unable to find where trail continued

Reviewed by: Dr. Rearrango , from Albuquerque, NM

Summary:
Use "Dan's Cutoff" Recently the road to the Canoncito, Cole Springs, & Bart's Trail area of the Sandia Wilderness has been blocked with a new private road gate. Find the beginning of the cutoff at the NW corner of the Canoncito Cemetery. I always forget how awesome this ride is! This is the route to go it you like a little bit more climbing, because you're doing it opposite of most riders. Faulty has everything from buff single cruising to rock hike-a-bikes- all with lots of elevation gain. This is one of the more demanding trails in the Sandias. It is getting worn down with more downhill bike traffic each year. The limestone rock gardens are plentiful and challenging either when going up or down. This is just a beautiful trail. Be sure you can handle technical rock riding before riding this trail. Bring food, water and tools as it is quite a hump back to the road from several sections of the trail. Four stars for being challenging single track with plenty of elevation gain.

Recommended Route:
Look for the new Dan's Cutoff in the Canoncito Cemetary. Up Faulty to Oso Corredor to Tree Springs and then up to 10k to Ski area. Follow the Faulty Trail signs.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Doc Long to Oso Corredor. Otero, Cedro.

Reviewed by: Buzz , from Peralta,NM

Summary:
A Ranger told us the start was at sulpher springs so we started there ( he was wrong). But went on and made a few wrong turns but made it. Mixed climb with rock beds and rock climbs then smooth (Typical of local good/great rides). Great downhill. The trail we followed is marked as following: Faulty then turn on Oso Corredor Trail then left on to Tree springs, after that 10K Trail at the wilderness line. Continue on to the 10K. Tough and scenic. Once you hit the TreeSprings trail, there was a lot of hikers until the 10K trail. Be patient with them, some still lack understanding the definition of "sharing the trail". I found this to be one of the best challenges around NM.I feel this is for the more advanced and for ones used to the high altitude.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Cedro to tower(great but is getting rougher and rougher due to Motorized use).