We are planning to swing by the western Colorado// NM area in May for some good mountain bike riding and hiking after a backpack trip in the GC.We are intermediate riders and strong hikers.What are your favourite hikes and rides? Probably can,t be too high up before hitting snow but have ridden above Flagstaff in May around 8300'.Can hike in snow at any elevation.Any dispersed , dry, state or municipal camping nearby?We don,t require any hookups or services.ThanksDave

Humm. A kind of fun place is the area around Taos and Angel Fire. Angel Fire itself offers competition-level downhill runs on the ski slopes, but there are also the trails in the Carson National Forest, including especially the South Boundary Trail. Check YouTube for numerous videos on both.There is relatively primitive national forest camping lower in the canyon between Angel Fire and Taos.:)Lynn

All of this snow has frozen my brain.I should have said we will be travelling in Western Colorado and NM coming from eastern Arizona. But any info is great. Thanks.Dave

Ok, I do know that there is competition-level mountain biking near Durango as well as some national forest camping. I'm sure there are trails in the forest, too, up there. Just check YouTube again for visuals. I suspect that the San Juan National Forest site will have info on regular trails for mountain biking.:)Lynn

Eubanks,I'll check on the info that you gave me in both places.Thanks.Dave

For finding public campgrounds and disbursed camping, it doesn't get much better then this.Public campgroundsHave fun:ed

Looking for dispersed camping near Western NM bike/hike.

eubank
Explorer
Feb 27, 2014
Humm. A kind of fun place is the area around Taos and Angel Fire. Angel Fire itself offers competition-level downhill runs on the ski slopes, but there are also the trails in the Carson National Forest, including especially the South Boundary Trail. Check YouTube for numerous videos on both.

There is relatively primitive national forest camping lower in the canyon between Angel Fire and Taos.

:)
Lynn
crosscheck
Explorer II
Feb 27, 2014
All of this snow has frozen my brain.I should have said we will be travelling in Western Colorado and NM coming from eastern Arizona. But any info is great.

Thanks.

Dave
eubank
Explorer
Feb 27, 2014
Ok, I do know that there is competition-level mountain biking near Durango as well as some national forest camping. I'm sure there are trails in the forest, too, up there. Just check YouTube again for visuals. I suspect that the San Juan National Forest site will have info on regular trails for mountain biking.
:)
Lynn
crosscheck
Explorer II
Feb 27, 2014
Eubanks,

I'll check on the info that you gave me in both places.

Thanks.

Dave
ed6713
Explorer
Feb 27, 2014
For finding public campgrounds and disbursed camping, it doesn't get much better then this.

Public campgrounds

Have fun:

ed
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Feb 27, 2014
Western Colorado - head to Pagosa Springs area. It would probably be snow-free on many of the gravel forest service roads in the area. Beautiful scenery and afterward spend a few hours soaking in the hot springs which are right in town along the river. There are about a dozen pools of varying temperatures. Ahhhhh!
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Feb 27, 2014
Double Post.
Two_Pedals
Explorer
Feb 27, 2014
If its not too hot when you are there, the Phils World trails system just east of Cortez, CO is a great place to spend a day. The Rib Cage is one fun trail. There is a Forest Service campground about 20 miles north of there near McPhee Resevoir on the San Juan National Forest. There is a good bike shop in Cortez with maps. There are lots of trails near Durango but I haven't ridden any of them. For a map showing trails in that area of the southwest go to www.skidmap.com/ There is hiking to ruins in Sand Canyon, west of Cortez. Have fun!!
smarty
Explorer II
Feb 27, 2014
Be aware that at that time of year it is very common for snow to still be falling. We spent Memorial Weekend in South Fork, CO and it snowed all weekend.
LewBob
Explorer
Feb 27, 2014
Two Pedals wrote:
If its not too hot when you are there, the Phils World trails system just east of Cortez, CO is a great place to spend a day. The Rib Cage is one fun trail. There is a Forest Service campground about 20 miles north of there near McPhee Resevoir on the San Juan National Forest. There is a good bike shop in Cortez with maps. There are lots of trails near Durango but I haven't ridden any of them. For a map showing trails in that area of the southwest go to www.skidmap.com/ There is hiking to ruins in Sand Canyon, west of Cortez. Have fun!!

x2

The Boggy Draw recreation area near Dolores offers excellent biking and hiking trails too.