Description for South Boundary Trail
The South Boundary Trail is legendary, in fact the entire reason we went to ride Taos was to ride this trail. It lives up to the hype, there is a little bit of everything on this trail. The ride is mostly on singletrack, there are a few places where it turns to fireroad, but for the most part you will spend all your time weaving through an amazing forest on some of the best terrain you have ever ridden.
The top section of the ride has a fair amount of climbing so people on DH bikes may be cursing the trail, in fact the first two thirds of the trail are not overly technical, but that all changes on the last seven miles. At this point the descents get very technical, even scary in a few places, they are steep with lots of places to get your tires trapped or derailleurs broken, so be cautious and take a look before committing to a line (help will take a long time to get to you so ride within your limits). We ride a lot and did not consider the trail in its entirety as an advanced trail, most strong intermediate riders will enjoy the ride but may be off the bike in several places. We don't recommend this ride for beginners or anyone that has been off the bike for an extended period of time.
Talk to the local shops about setting up shuttle, it leaves early so be prepared to be at the shop at the crack of dawn. It is worth the money, setting up shuttle takes FOREVER and will ruin most of your day, support the locals and pay for the service, it is worth every penny.
Comments/Reviews for South Boundary Trail
1. posted from iPhone
by singletrack, Tuesday, August 10, 2010 2:37 PM
| Overall Review: | 5 of 5 |
| Technical Difficulty: | 0 of 5 |
| Aerobic Difficulty: | 0 of 5 |
One of the best trails in the state.
2. Beautiful but lots of climbing
by drc, Saturday, September 04, 2010 9:54 PM
| Overall Review: | 4 of 5 |
| Technical Difficulty: | 2 of 5 |
| Aerobic Difficulty: | 5 of 5 |
Rode this with some friends in June of 2009, starting from Garcia Park and climbing up to Corner Park/Osha Mountain and then dropping back down. It was a grind to get up, but this part of the trail is non-technical and granny-gearable. Coming back down was awesome. Scenery is amazing, particularly the view from the Quintana Pass area and the meadows near Corner Park.
We had some moments of confusion at a few places where the trail crosses the FS road. These intersections are not well marked, so a FS map and a GPS are recommended.
3. Summer 2006
by scotch, Tuesday, September 06, 2011 8:02 AM
| Overall Review: | 5 of 5 |
| Technical Difficulty: | 4 of 5 |
| Aerobic Difficulty: | 4 of 5 |
A great EPIC ride. I started at the bottom and did an out and back. Some shuttle from the top. I did not get all the way to Angel Fire. As it was I was out there 8 hrs. My first mtn epic ride. Sun, rain, hail...watch the signage.
4. From Garcia Park down is EPIC
by drc, Tuesday, September 27, 2011 10:47 PM
| Overall Review: | 5 of 5 |
| Technical Difficulty: | 4 of 5 |
| Aerobic Difficulty: | 3 of 5 |
If you have a shuttle vehicle, do yourself a favor and ride this trail from Garcia Park down to Taos. I struggle to think of a ride that is more epic than this one. Starting from Garcia Park, there is a pretty steady grind for the first 1.5 miles, as the trail skirts Sierra de Don Fernando. It then becomes a shoulder trail and winds along the edge of Taos Canyon for most of the rest of the way. From Mile 1.5 to Mile 7, the trail loses more elevation than it gains, but you will still encounter some longish but very gentle climbs and some steep but very short climbs (nothing like the first 1.5 miles, however.) This section of trail is mostly hard park with occasional obstacles of intermediate-level skill. These increase in frequency as you progress down the trail.
However ... The second half of the trail kicks it up a notch, becoming almost all downhill with some very steep, rocky sections, many of which require advanced skill to negotiate. If you've ridden Winsor, this is definitely a level up from that. There is some exposure here, particularly on the final descent into the roadside park (if you choose to take out there.) Good disc brakes and full suspension are a must (my Stumpy did fine, but you'll definitely see the benefit of an AM bike.) As you approach Taos, you are treated to some stunning aerial views of the canyon and the town.
The attached GPS tracks both take out at the roadside park along U.S. 64 (36.375780, -105.546743). This requires a right turn onto a side trail as you approach Taos. The turn is not marked and is easily missed. If you go straight, you'll end up on NM 585, and you can ride the dirt track that parallels that road all the way back into town.
5. Easy Shuttle
by mtbchik, Tuesday, June 12, 2012 10:34 AM
| Overall Review: | 5 of 5 |
| Technical Difficulty: | 3 of 5 |
| Aerobic Difficulty: | 4 of 5 |
We rode from about FS road 76 about 3 miles from the summit. The climb was tough, but not impossible. Just lots of "baby heads". The singletrack into Garcia Park is not to be missed and worth the grunt.
We followed instructions from a friend who had ridden it over Memorial Day weekend and only used a GPS once.
The last few miles were baby heads and steps that left our forearms pumped and hands sore. Need more time in the gym I guess!
Fun, beautiful, ride that is not overridden and shouldn't be missed.
6. posted from iPhone
by jheveron, Thursday, September 27, 2012 9:14 PM
| Overall Review: | 5 of 5 |
| Technical Difficulty: | 0 of 5 |
| Aerobic Difficulty: | 0 of 5 |
Great trail! I had to access it from Garcia Park because my car was bottoming out at the black lake access. The trail starts out slow with a lot of traverse. Don't let that fool you the downhill is sick! It's pretty rocky and there are a few tricky sections (washouts and some loose switchbacks). It is an intermediate trail but watch your speed on the downhill if your not comfortable in technical terrain. Over all well worth the ride!
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