Ruidoso, NM (9.5 hours from Austin)

[hurronnicane]

Has anyone spent much time in Ruidoso, New Mexico?  It has proximity going for it (a little over nine hours from Dripping Springs).  We went through there last summer on our way to Yellowstone and managed to get in one ride at Grindstone Lake which was fun.  Just wondering if anyone has more thoroughly explored the area.  I know Shane at Canyon Cycles used to live there and has talked it up.  Twenty five years ago we used to travel to the Cloudcroft area (just down the road from Ruidoso) for mountain biking, but my understanding is that Ruidoso has a more developed mountain bike trail system.

[Ridenfool]

I'm going on June 20 and will report.

There are two trails systems, Grindstone Lake and Cedar Creek. MTBProject and TrailForks have details.

There are quite a few videos on the downhill flow run at Cedar Creek.

Here's one of them

 

Ski Apache also offers lift service to three trails on Sierra Blanca. Not sure whether it is a good value and I have no plans to ride it while there.

 

Edited July 11, 2019 by Ridenfool

[Ridenfool]

Was checkin' out the forecast for Ruidoso and Santa Fe for the coming week and they have arranged for a cool front to greet me bringing highs in the 70's and 0.1-0.2 inches of rain every day to knock the dust down and provide a bit of humidic comfort for Central Texas visitors.

Simply enchanting how they aim to please Texan tourists venturing to the Land of Enchantment.

Edited July 18, 2019 by Ridenfool

[Ridenfool]

I checked out Grindstone trails today, before the arrival of the exterior AC. The plan was an 11.something mile route I had worked out on TrailForks. The reality was that 2 hours in, I had covered 4.5 miles and rode up for about 550 feet of positive elevation per TF. By now the bike computer was showing the temps cresting 94F and after consulting TF for alternatives the only reasonable choice was to turn around, or die, as Doors number 1, 2, and 3 that Carol Merrill was standing in front of all offered another several hundred feet of up before I'd start going downhill again.

After flipping a U, I was back in the parking lot in 20 minutes.

As for the trail I rode, Grindstone Ridge, it was nice. with some embedded rock a lot like Austin trails, and plenty of good flowing singletrack, well worth the trip as long as you are have the fitness and lungs for the climbing job at altitude, and the temperatures are more cooperative.

Trailhead elevation is 6900 feet and it is all uphill from there.

The exterior AC arrives tomorrow with highs in the 70s.

Edited July 22, 2019 by Ridenfool
corrected some numbers

[hurronnicane]

My wife and I rode the lower portion of the Grindstone trails that circle the lake last summer.  There were some long swoopy downhills that were really fun.  

[GFisher]

I had been think about a quick trip to Ruidoso next week but obviously that is out. Prayers for all the people and animals. Last I looked it appeared Grindstone Lake was safe for now but I think the Cedar Creek area is at least partially impacted. I could swear the picture at the bottom of this article is from the Ranger station right at the lower Cedar Creek trailhead.

https://eu.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2024/06/21/ruidoso-fires-update-evacuations-still-in-place-because-of-what-caused-ruidoso-firesan-investigation/74167819007/

Edited June 21, 2024 by GFisher

[TheX]

13 minutes ago, GFisher said:

I had been think about a quick trip to Ruidoso next week but obviously that is out. Prayers for all the people and animals. Last I looked it appeared Grindstone Lake was safe for now but I think the Cedar Creek area is at least partially impacted. I could swear the picture at the bottom of this article is from the Ranger station right at the lower Cedar Creek trailhead.

https://eu.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2024/06/21/ruidoso-fires-update-evacuations-still-in-place-because-of-what-caused-ruidoso-firesan-investigation/74167819007/

Wow, that's terrible. 

[The Tip]

Was just there. Grindstone Lake trails were all good to go. The riding had LOTS of climbing. LOTS of scenery. Trails were fun and interesting. 

The Cedar Creek system was closed. The town is mostly business as usual. But driving around we did see lots of burnt buildings and also mud covered businesses. 

[GFisher]

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I have been watching the flooding, pretty crazy. It does look like Cedar Creek was completely roasted. No new burn areas at Grindstone? I couldn't tell if it got partially impacted.

[cmc4130]

Dec 2021

 

[hurronnicane]

Those are fun trails.  I called to ask about them earlier this year and the Ranger said it had burned but that the trails were mostly open.  We are passing through that area soon but may not get to ride much.  I’m recovering from a fall I took from our pear tree.  I fell about 10 feet and landed on my right leg.  Both my foot and knee are pretty disappointed in my decision-making but I hope to be riding in a week or two.

[hurronnicane]