SST Trail
| Location: | Las Cruces, New Mexico |
| Ride Type: | Out and Back |
| Trail Type: |
Single Track 99% Dirt Road 1% |
| Distance: | 13.00 miles (20.92 KM) |
| Duration: | not specified. |
| Elevation Gain: | not specified. |
| Climbing: | Steep and Technical |
| Skill Level: | Advanced Skills |
| User Density: | not specified. |
Trail Description:
The SST Trail is a newly completed out and back singletrack approx. 6.5 miles in length, one way. There are many options for shortening the ride by using cutoffs to a nearby jeep trail. The trail is built in desert terrain and has some very technical and steep sections spread throughout the ride.
Ride times can vary with rider ability from about 2 hours for riders with advanced skills to 4+ hours for beginners.
Start the ride by going a few yards up the hill to the south and turn right to locate the two, low water tanks. Keep on the road past the tanks while it takes a sharp turn to the right and starts climbing the hill. Part way up the hill the single track will appear on your right. Follow the single track until it hits a road and climb to the top of the hill. On your left you will see a BLM sign that sits at the head of the trail. The rest of the trail is singletrack and should be pretty clear about where it is going.
How to get there:
TheSST trail is reached from a road called Shalem Colony Trail. To reach Shalem Colony Trail, you can:
From Las Cruces take Valley Drive (185) north to Shalem Colony Trail and turn left. Follow Shalem Colony until you cross the river and turn right on Rocky Acres Trail, which should be the first right after the river. If you pass the two water tanks up a hill on your right, you have gone too far.
From El Paso (I-10 west) or Deming (I-10 east) take I-10 to the Picacho exit and go east on Picacho. When you see Guacamole's restaurant on your right, Shalem Colony Trail is on your left. If you reach the Pic Quic on your left, you have gone too far. Follow Shalem Colony for a few miles until you pass 2 tall water tanks on a hill on your left side. If you cross the river, you have gone too far. Soon after the water tanks there will be a road on your left called Rocky Acres Trail.
Follow Rocky Acres back, keeping to your left. You should cross a cattle guard. Follow the dirt road back until it opens into a bowl-shaped area. To go any further you really need a 4x4. Park here.