Author: Deron

Trail ML

Trail ML (Mechero Lado (Side Burner)) is dirt road that runs east/west along the south side of the upper portion of the major ridge of the San Felipe area trails (i.e. the ridge capped by Trail HFR (High Flyer Ridge)). Probably a remnant of the construction of the high-voltage power line that runs along this ridge (e.g. electrical towers waypointed in Trails HFR, LLL, and Ma), this road no longer sees hardly any auto traffic and remains in good shape. Harder to get to the east side of the trail (via Trail M (Mechero (Burner))) than the western side (via Trail T (Tostadora (Toaster)), it’s generally used for acces Trail E (Encendero (Lighter), the lower 2/3rds of Trails T or M. Nonetheless, those looking for a good climb may access Trail ML via a climb up Trail M, before returning the way they came or using Trail T (uphill or downhill) or Trail E for exits. An overgrown goat trail drops down from the west end of Trail ML, which in due time may be groomed&pruned into an extension of Trail ML or a new trail in its own right.

Trail Parameters
Trail Type: Trail
Trail Tread: Goat Path
IMBA Trail Rating: Green Circle – Easy
Trail Length (km): 1.20
Trail Total Ascent (m): 103
Trail Total Descent (m): 86
Trail Maximum Elevation (m): 1917
Trail Minimum Elevation (m): 1868
Average Grade (%): 1.4
Use the “Download” link in the map above to retrieve a copy of the KML/Z file for your own uses. E.g. viewing in GoogleEarth, loading to your GPS-enabled device).
 
Or, click here to examine this trail and its components in greater detail in GoogleMaps.

Trail Ma

Trail Ma (Martillada (Hammerblow)) starts high on Trail HFR (High Flyer Ridge) as singletrack running through the trees and shorter vegetation. After roughly following the contour line from the HFR ridge over to a lesser ridge on the south, Trail MA begins diving down the ridgeline towards its eventual exit on LNR (Libramiento Norte Road) road. The trail is wide singletrack for a bit but most of the way it is doubletrack full of sections that are very rutted, steep, and full of scree. About halfway down the trail cross a saddle of the ridge and a short climb ensues before you pass one of the high-voltage electrical towers and then continue downhill on the ridge. Nearing the bottom, the ridge gets less steep and a fork in the trail appears. Right is easier (as it turns into a poor dirt road before terminating at Road LNR) but left gives you even more steep, rutted, chunky, where-the-FUCK-is-the-line trail to enjoy before spitting you out on Road LNR.

In short, the best 2.6km technical downhill for those who like their trail EXTRA chunky.

Morning riders should be extra cautious due to heavier hiker and campesino traffic (which implies dogs and donkeys, too.). YIELD!!!!

Trail Parameters
Trail Type: Trail
Trail Tread: Singletrack
IMBA Trail Rating: Black Diamond – Very Difficult
Trail Length (km): 2.60
Trail Total Ascent (m): 1
Trail Total Descent (m): 321
Trail Maximum Elevation (m): 2074
Trail Minimum Elevation (m): 1752
Average Grade (%): -12.5
Use the “Download” link in the map above to retrieve a copy of the KML/Z file for your own uses. E.g. viewing in GoogleEarth, loading to your GPS-enabled device).
 
Or, click here to examine this trail and its components in greater detail in GoogleMaps.

Trail M

Trail M (Mechero (Burner)) starts off of Trail HFR (High Flyer Ridge) and dives down to Road LNR (Libramiento Norte Road) . The top is a rutted, twisty, very steep, rock-filled bobsled run that eventually turns into a rutted doubletrack trail/jeep road.

Trail Parameters
Trail Type: Trail
Trail Tread: Singletrack
IMBA Trail Rating: Black Diamond – Very Difficult
Trail Length (km): 1.80
Trail Total Ascent (m): 0
Trail Total Descent (m): 288
Trail Maximum Elevation (m): 2013
Trail Minimum Elevation (m): 1725
Average Grade (%): -15.8
Use the “Download” link in the map above to retrieve a copy of the KML/Z file for your own uses. E.g. viewing in GoogleEarth, loading to your GPS-enabled device).
 
Or, click here to examine this trail and its components in greater detail in GoogleMaps.

Trail LP

Trail LP (Luz Piloto (Pilot Light)) is the shortest member of The Smoking Section collection. Like the other Smoking Section trails, it’s a straight-down-a-ridge, singletrack made by goats, campesinos, running water, and a few biker/hikers. The vegetation can quickly take back over this rarely used trail so part of the fun is keeping a sharp eye on the terrain to keep from being led astray by a mirage path. Depending on the time of year and the amount of recent use, the tread may show more or less obviously. The usual mix of scrub oak and acacia bushes (i.e. THORNS!) do their best to keep your sight lines short and your body scraped up. Just go easy on the terrain with your braking, be prepared to turn quick, and let ‘er roll.

Since Trail LP dumps out on Trail TTT (Toro Toro Toro (Bull Bull Bull)) above the steep, eroded section, it makes for a nice connector to create a loop on the western end of Road LNR so you can ride part of Trail MMD (Maguey Mi Dia (Maguey My Day)), come down Trail LP, and be back up on the top of Road LNR for more singletrack (e.g. Trail ED (Espina D (Spine)), Trail LLL (Larry’s Lacerated Leg), Trail VV (Via Viguera)).

Trail Parameters
Trail Type: Trail
Trail Tread: Goat Path
IMBA Trail Rating: Blue Square – Difficult
Trail Length (km): 0.24
Trail Total Ascent (m): 0
Trail Total Descent (m): 48
Trail Maximum Elevation (m): 1882
Trail Minimum Elevation (m): 1832
Average Grade (%): -20.2
Use the “Download” link in the map above to retrieve a copy of the KML/Z file for your own uses. E.g. viewing in GoogleEarth, loading to your GPS-enabled device).Or, click here to examine this trail and its components in greater detail in GoogleMaps.

 

Road LNR

Road LNR (Libramiento Norte Road) north of Donaji over into Trinidad de Viguera is a built but never used roadway. The pavement is falling apart in some areas, and there are roadblocks (piles of dirt dumped across the road) in some places. Occasional motorized traffic uses the accessible parts but it’s used by residents more like a greenbelt path than a beltway road. Half-jokingly called the “San Felipe del Agua Bike Park Access Road” it in itself isn’t a worthy mountain bike trail, but using Road LNR to head east or west on the elevated areas north of Oaxaca de Juarez provides one easy access to over 40 kilometers of trails (and adding more every month!).

Trail Parameters
Trail Type: Road
Trail Tread: Paved Road
IMBA Trail Rating: White Circle – Easiest
Trail Length (km): 13.00
Trail Total Ascent (m): 372
Trail Total Descent (m): 547
Trail Maximum Elevation (m): 1908
Trail Minimum Elevation (m): 1576
Average Grade (%): -1.3
Use the “Download” link in the map above to retrieve a copy of the KML/Z file for your own uses. E.g. viewing in GoogleEarth, loading to your GPS-enabled device).
 
Or, click here to examine this trail and its components in greater detail in GoogleMaps.

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