Itinerary

Elevation Range: 6,000 – 11,000 ft.

Day 1: Garcia Park, Medicine Wheel, South Boundary Trail

From Santa Fe, we shuttle to Taos and the high Sangre de Cristo Mountains of the Carson National Forest. Our shuttle ascends through aspen and pine, climbing to Garcia Park, which will serve as our base camp for two nights. We have lunch, and enjoy the views of the rugged Wheeler Peak Wilderness from our perch at 10,000ft. After lunch, we ascend 300 feet to the Medicine Wheel, atop Paradise Park, where we enjoy spectacular views of Wheeler Peak and the Taos Valley, 3,000 feet below. Next, our route takes us on the Lower Route of the South Boundary Trail. This trail is widely recognized as one of the best in New Mexico. It is so exciting and challenging, some riders claim they should charge admission! Although the first 12 miles are mellow, the last three drop 2,200 feet down to the Taos Valley. Between the views, long stretches of sweet singletrack, and challenging rock gardens near the end of the ride, this trail literally has it all. We pop out in Taos and shuttle back to camp at Garcia Park. A home-cooked dinner is a welcomed reward for first day out on the trails. Relax and make yourself at home.

Day 2: South Boundary Trail – Magic Carpet Ride

After breakfast, we head out on an extended morning ride. From camp, we follow singletrack out to twisty network of jeep roads, where a series of epic, lungbusting climbs awaits. The challenge of navigating these winding trails is almost as demanding as the cardio – good thing your guide is leading the way! Next up is a ride on the “magic carpet” that is the South Boundary Trail. Hold on tight and enjoy the ride as we cascade down the magically fun trail as at twists, turns, and bumps along the way. A short climb brings you and your wide smile back to camp for a hot lunch. Then sit back and relax, you’ve earned a late afternoon nap or catch another descent on yesterdays South Boundary.

Day 3: Bob Sled to Angel Fire

Today’s ride takes us down what we call the “bob sled”. From camp descend 200 feet on fast rolling jeep track. At the bottom, we shuttle to the Angel Fire Ski Resort to ride the 2005 World Cup XC course. A rare-treat, this is a trail designed by world-class riders FOR world-class riders, so bring you’re A-game! A long hill climb delivers us to a tight, technical climbing section fraught with tricky moss covered boulders. Overall we climb 1500ft. up the mountain. Then catch your breath and get ready, as we head back down the mountain on the intense downhill half of the course. Designed to test the best riders, this run will you put you in your place with rocky, tight singletrack, complete with jumps and drops. The seemingly never-ending trail delivers us all the way back to the base of the mountain. For the feint of heart, an inviting pub and deck help pass the afternoon. Afterwards, we all head to camp at Red River for another fun and laidback evening under the stars

Day 4: Lost Lake

A morning shuttle takes us to Lost Lake trailhead where we head out on yet another great day of riding. The ride starts off with a tough jeep road climb, but soon enough it peters out into smoother singletrack. Switchbacks ease the route, and we settle into a comfortable cruising climb. Just when you are lulled into a sense of complacency, the bottom drops out! We reach the top, and the terrain changes dramatically as we ride 1.5 miles along the edge of a steep slope, with beautiful views of Wheeler Park a quick glance away. Resist the urge to stare off into the scenic distance, this off-camber riding demands careful attention. As we get close, we reach the wilderness boundary, and hike the last bit of the way to Lost Lake. Tucked deep in the wilderness, out of reach for car-bound Tourists, this rarely visited gem is likely the most picturesque mountain lake you’ll ever visit! After taking time to enjoy this special place, we return to our bikes and head back down the mountain. We wiz back down in about 1/3 it took us to climb up- the same great riding and crisp scenery, without all the hard work; what’s not to love?!

Day 5: Taos Ski Valley/Frazer Mountain

We have one of our newest and favorite rides in store for you today—Northside Ski Resorts Alpine/Frazer Mountain. A lung-busting and challenging climb from Taos Ski Valley takes us up to the top of New Mexico’s highest mountains. Our ride winds along purpose-built single-track with stellar views into the Wheeler Peak Wilderness.
After taking a very long break atop Frazer Mountain at 12,200 feet (trust us you will need it), we drop 3000 feet all the way back down! After lunch, we shuttle back to Santa Fe and Albuquerque respectively.

* This is a general itinerary. Tour itineraries are subject to change based on the group, available accommodations and other unforeseen circumstances such as the weather, local conditions, government intervention, that may affect the quality of the trip and/or safety of the participants. Please view this itinerary as an outline as to what to expect on this tour.

Lodging

Nights 1 & 2: Garcia Park primitive camp
Nights 3 & 4: Red River Campground

We choose well-maintained public campgrounds with scenic vistas and comfortable arrangements. You’ll move seamlessly from one day of your trip to the next, camping outdoors and enjoying wildly healthy, delicious homemade meals.

The majority of our selected campgrounds feature indoor facilities and showers. Conversely, in more remote backcountry camping scenarios, we’ll provide portable toilets and private solar showers.

Included:

• Excellent meals and support, Snacks and sport-drinks included.
• Backcountry permits, licenses, park fees.
• A mobile first aid and mechanic station, spare bikes, and a support vehicle(s).
• Community gear (portable chairs, large awnings, coolers, utensils, etc.)
• Including souvenir shirt.

Not included:

• Airfare to and from our departure point.
• Lodging before or after the tour.
• Personal camping gear, possible to rent.
• Rental mountain bike.
• Roundtrip shutlle Albequerque.
• Gratuity guides.

Pricing / Tour dates

Tour price 2023 : $ 1460.-pp.
Shuttle option: You can take advantage of our shuttle to Santa Fe from Albuquerque (from $75 round-trip). The shuttle will leave from the Sheraton Airport Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at 8:00 a.m. on the first day of the tour.
Camp gear package rental: includes a tent, sleeping pad, raised cot, sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner, full size pillow, and ground tarp. $108.-
Bike rental:
Specialized Full Suspension mountain bike $380.-
Upgrade mountain bike $460.-
Tour dates 2024:
24 Jun – 28 Jun
01 Jul – 05 Jul
08 Jul – 12 Jul
15 Jul – 19 Jul
22 Jul – 26 Jul
29 Jul – 02 Aug
05 Aug – 09 Aug
12 Aug – 16 Aug
19 Aug – 23 Aug
26 Aug – 30 Aug
02 Sep – 06 Sep
09 Sep – 13 Sep
16 Sep – 20 Sep

Conditions

Deposit $500.- pp
The deposit payment for a tour must be paid within two weeks after the booking is confirmed.
The remaining payment is due 90 days before the start of the tour.
For tours that are booked within 90 days before the start of the tour you will pay 100% of the tour price

Information

Our food isn’t just good, it’s good for you.

Food is a big part of the experience. Our guides prepare all of your meals on our camping trips. Expect three delicious meals a day consisting entirely of freshly prepared foods. These include fresh organic fruits and vegetables as well as meats. We also have energy snacks aboard our support vehicles. Don’t be surprised if your guides purchase fresh fruits and healthy snacks throughout the day while you are out riding. They may just show up on the trail with a local treat! Many of our guests are vegans or vegetarians, whom we are more than happy to accommodate. If you have special diet requirements or limitations, just let us know when you sign-up and we’ll work with you to meet your needs.