This is a long drive. The last gas stop (I-25 Exit 203) is 50 miles from the trailhead, so figure out and back to gas at Exit 203 is about 120 miles. Plan your gas accordingly. This is an all day ride! Bring food and drinks.
Parking...We will meet at 9:00AM right at I-25 exit 175 (see photo). Trailered 4x4's can leave their tow rigs at the Kiva RV Park and Horse Motel 100 yards past the meet point (lower left of photo). The RV Park charges $10 for the day, but it is well monitored and safe. Just south of the RV park is a dirt road where tow rigs can be left for free at your own risk. Be untrailered and ready to head to Riley by 9AM.
Getting to the fun...From the meet point, at not much after 9AM, we start the day with a 25 mile drive on an easy high speed dirt road (30-40mph) around the north and west sides of Ladron Peak to the Riley area. After the 4x4 ride described below is complete, we will return on this same road back to I-25 Exit 175 at Bernardo.
The 4x4 part... Once at Riley, from the "Fork in the Road", a primitive road will take the group 2.5 miles west. There, we will drop into a 3 mile long arroyo #1. This one has a nice chewy center for the meek of the group, yet lots of crunchy areas around the edges to play. After arroyo #1, we exit up to an old two-track trail for 2 miles of nice views and interesting terrain. That leads us to a 3 mile long second arroyo ('Dos Arroyos!'). At the end of this arroyo is a very tough section, Anyone with courage left over from arroyo #1 can have some fun on the rocks while the rest watch and cheer. After playing there, we double back a 1/4 mile to catch 2.25 mile two-track trail back to the main road. From there, we will go a few miles to the actual Riley Ghost Town to relax before heading home. Google: "Riley,NM Ghost Town" for history.
Here is the Gallery for the 2012 trip.
[NOTE: All the hard spots in the Gallery photos are OPTIONAL! A stock vehicle can enjoy the day just fine.]
For more information on this Ride use the
link above to contact Don with any questions.If you wish to go, be sure to fill out an Application Form to add youself as a potential NM4W member.
Be sure to have a look at our Trail Ratings information to know what you are in for.
You can also use our Gallery to Search for photos from prior rides to this area.
NOTE: NM4W requires all ride attendees to sign a 'Release of Liability' waiver.
After you submit an Application Form, you can e-sign the waiver online before the ride.