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Magdalena Area Trails

Sat Feb 8, 2025    

Congregate at the meetup point listed at 9:00 am, Driver's meeting at 9:20am Depart by 9:30am, Air down when we hit the dirt.

These runs are rated 2 and 3 out of 10. So it should be easy to navigate.

Muleshoe is one of the longer trails on the west side of the foothills in the area. The track is an overall well-maintained single-vehicle-wide road with room to pass if needed and will be suitable for most vehicles, including high-clearance 2WD. The first 3 miles of the trail cut through private land tracts and has no notable obstacles. Once past the private land areas, drivers can expect some small wash areas and some minor rutting. The views are wide for a majority of the trail and several motorized spurs will provide for more exploring. Cell service is decent for the first portion of the route and gradually drops off towards the south. This is an out-and-back trail that ends at a locked gate on a private land boundary, but drivers can continue further south by turning onto Valley View/FSR 234B. Rated 2 out of 10

Rock Spring is a shorter out-and-back trail that pushes from the foothills to just inside the dense treeline of the forest with an elevation increase right at 700 feet. The trail is generally single-vehicle-wide with room to pass if needed and should be easily completed by most high-clearance 2WD and AWD vehicles. While there are no large obstacles, drivers should be aware of the deeper rutted and off-camber sections, low-lying washes, and loose rock surfaces. There are multiple spurs off the main track that run to the north and the south that give more areas to explore. Cell service is weak for the majority of the trail. The motorized trail ends at a small rustic cabin, but there is an unmarked hiking trail at the end that appears to run towards one of several natural springs in the area. Rated 2 out of 10

Mill Canyon is unique in its quick change from low, rolling foothills, to a quick push of a more tree-dense forest road. During the dry seasons, most high-clearance AWD vehicles should be able to complete the route without issue. However, during wet weather or snow, 4x4 and 4WD vehicles will handle the deeper rutting, off-camber sections, and steeper grades much better. There are some larger loose rocks up to 12 inches in size and a few low-lying washes that have the potential to be shallow water crossings after rain or snow melt. The trail starts wide enough for one vehicle with room to pass but becomes more narrow and eventually turns to a single-vehicle shelf road towards the end on a steeper grade. Cell service is extremely weak in the area. This is an out-and-back trail that has a couple of motorized spurs, but drivers should be aware of the private land in the area and be sure to stay on the main forest roads. Rated 3 out of 10

Valley View is a spur that continues southward off of Muleshoe/FSR 234 and provides a great view of almost all the surrounding mountains in this area of the Cibola National Forest. The trail features a few short steep grades with loose rocky surfaces, small low-lying washes, and one larger wash with a soft, sandy bottom. The track is overall single-vehicle-wide with only a few spots having no room to pass due to trees and shrubs. There are larger loose rocks up to 10 inches in size scattered along portions of the trail, however, most AWD and 4x4 vehicles will have no issues. There is some minor rutting in some areas, but no other obstacles to note along the route. Cell service is in and out along the way, but overall very weak. Rated 3 out of 10

Rig Requirements:

33" - 35" tires recommended

Lifts are always good but shouldn't be required

Winches are always good but hopefully not mandatory

Air down/Air up capability

GMRS radioChannel 4  (I have two handhelds I can loan out)

Lunch on the trail, so bring food and chairs and dress appropriately since it's February

If you are new to 4 Wheeling, come along and build your skills!