The mountains around northern New Mexico have often called to athletes of many different disciplines, with stories of powder days at Taos being the stuff of legend, and the endless single track navigating through the area’s high alpine attracting countless mountain bikers during the warmer months. Angel Fire Resort, in particular, hopes to expand this already established enthusiasm for the area’s mountain biking scene by renovating their trail system, and the industry is taking notice. Hogan Koesis, Angel Fire’s bike park director, explained that the resort’s investment into the trail system will expand rider access from town, and breathe a bit of new life into the region’s vast trail network.
“The resort plans on increasing the flow of its existing cross country network, as well as adding 3.5 miles of trail connecting an interior loop from the south end of town to the north end of town,” he said, “We are also working with the National Forest Service to increase user experience on an already amazing ride from the town center.”
Steve Mokan, the owner and founder of Chasing Epic, an all-inclusive mountain bike guiding company based out of several of the sport’s top destinations, said that the trails around Taos and Angel Fire offer exceptional access to the area’s high alpine, and are providing mountain bikers with opportunities to take in what’s sure to be the next hot spot of the sport.
“It’s a full blown mountain biking destination,” he explained. “The trails are all above 9,000 feet, so it’s pretty reminiscent of Colorado single track, except without the crowds. It’s a true backcountry mountain biking experience.”
Chasing Epic will be offering guided trips to the area starting in August, specifically for private bookings of four or more, with a mix of single track and lift serviced riding, as the company plans to take advantage of the area’s revitalized trail system, along with the longer riding season that the region typically enjoys.
“Their riding season is longer because they don’t get as much snow,” he said, “That allows for high elevation rides from mid-May through October, and it opens up months that we normally can’t ride here in Colorado.”
The South Boundary Trail, in particular, connects riders from Angel Fire to Taos via 22 miles of single track, and is often revered as one of the best trails in the state, although there are countless other options as well. The Lost Lake Loop offers 15 miles of high alpine riding off of Wheeler Peak, a Taos area classic for both hiking and biking, and the single track takes riders over 10,000 feet for a good part of the ride. The Elliot Barker Trails offer a nice option from the base of Angel Fire Resort as well, and were most recently added as a stop on the Scott Enduro Cup race series, where the trail system received rave reviews from race participants.
Visitors to the area can opt for accommodations in Angel Fire or Taos, as the trails are easily accessible from both spots. For more information about Chasing Epic, or Angel Fire’s trail renovations, check out their websites.
