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Weekday Trail Ride-Chamisoso Trail to Lower Pine-Badge of Honor Ride

Mon Mar 9, 2026 10:00AM    

The Manzanita Trailhead System provides access to a number of wooded canyons, open meadows and limestone pavements in a multi-use area consisting of hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, OHV, and 4WD use trails. The towers atop the 7,767-foot Cedro Peak are visible for miles and they provide an easy point of reference as you explore a landscape where high mountain desert meets forest - pinon pine, juniper, and cedar coexist with yucca, cholla and prickly pear cacti. Within 15 minutes of Albuquerque and easy access to the clean air of the Cibola National Forest, this trail a natural destination for offroad enthusiasts.

Easy trail, mild grades and plenty of traction when dry. Sections are rocky which makes it a slow, bumpy ride for a 2WD vehicle. FR462 is an easy, hard packed dirt surface with seasonal ruts and loose rock suitable for most high clearance vehicles. Rain or snow may make 4WD necessary. At six miles in length, Forest Road 462 is the longest 4WD trail in the Manzanita Mountains Trail System and it intersects with two others, FR12 and FR13.

1. West FR462 Trailhead (Chamisoso Canyon Road) (0 mi)

Heading east off of NM 337 onto a well maintained gravel segment, FR462 is immediately flanked on both sides with parking areas. This is a popular spot for ATVs, cyclists and hikers to stage and head out from. There is an ATV bypass, 05617, accessible from the south lot that allows all-terrain vehicles to skip 0.75 miles of smooth gravel surface and come out at Waypoint #4, a little way into the true offroad part of FR462. The lower trailhead for the 05543 Powerline hiking trail can also be accessed here.

2. Coyote Trailhead Facility (0.7 mi)

On the north side of the trail, there is a parking area that was constructed by the Sandia Ranger District to stage motorized expeditions. The Coyote hiking trailhead is here and the facility has vault toilets, posted information and sitting areas with picnic tables.

3. 05620 Coyote Chamisoso Link Trailhead (0.76 mi)

This trail links the Coyote and Chamisoso trails designated for hiking, biking, motorcycles and horses. This is also the point where the well-maintained gravel portion of FR462 ends and offroading begins.

4. 05617 ATV Bypass - Upper Trailhead (0.8 mi)

This is the point where the ATV bypass from the lower parking lot meets FR462. This is the only authorized camping area along FR462. There are two discrete motorized spots on this spur so you might have a neighbor.

6. Cedro Tower Fire Line (1.1 mi)

This is a great place to stop and take in the view. To the south you can look up the fire break and see the Cedro fire lookout tower and to the north, the east side of the Sandia Mountains and Tijeras Canyon.

7. 05620 Coyote Chamisoso Link (1.17 mi)
Here the Coyote Chamisoso Link crosses FR462. It's designated for hiking, biking, horseback and motorcycle use only.
8. Trailhead 05851 Coyote Split (2.1 mi)
This trail connects FR462 to the Coyote Trail below. It's designated for hiking, biking, horseback and motorcycle use only.
9. Intersection with FR13 and 05619 Coyote (3 mi)

To the south, FR13 heads up towards Cedro Peak. To the north, the upper terminus of the Coyote trail. Head east to stay on FR462.

10. Intersection with FR12 (3.1 mi)

To the south, FR12 meanders through meadows as it heads up to meet the Meadow Ridge Trail. Bear left (north) to follow FR462.

11. Lower Pine 05606 Trailhead and Parking Area (5.8 mi)

At the bottom of the hill there is a large parking/staging area and the entrance to the Lower Pine hiking trail.

12. East Trailhead - Campo Road (5.9 mi)

At the end of the trail, there is a stop sign at Campo Road. Bearing left here (west) and taking a left on Liebre Road will take you back out to old Route 66 (NM 333).

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