Coyote and Embudito Trails

Mountain ride Day 18 Embudito

Embudito Trailhead

The Embudito trailhead in the foothills trail system is probably the most popular place to ride or hike in Albuquerque. Today I saw a grand total of three other riders (compared to zero for yesterday's ride which is typical for non--weekend rides in the East Mountains). I bet the trailhead will be packed this weekend though. Rides here are on the eroded granite substrate making up most of the Sandia foothills. The rides are fast and fun, without excessively steep climbs and little rock to negotiate. Overall an A+ ride. I just don't go here often because I prefer solitude...

Mountain ride Day 17 Coyote

Coyote TH

Coyote Trail to Coyote Split Trail. Rain turned me around on this ride, that plus the fact that it was getting dark. I discovered that rain can make even a blasted out rocky ride like the Coyote trail fun for mountain bikes. In recent summers, erosion from trail bikes, dying trees, and drought have made for a sometimes lunar landscape. Now grass has grown, flowers are springing up, and the trail is nicely packed down, making for good riding and good scenery. The Coyote Split trail is less than a mile long, branching from the main Coyote trail. The split trail is narrow, with sandstone features making for some interesting and slightly technical riding, but mostly super fun.

Turnoff to Coyote Split Trail

Split trail