Video: North-Eastern New Mexico is the Land of Enchantment

Nov 6, 2015 at 9:29
by Macky Franklin  
Views: 9,022    Faves: 21    Comments: 2


Tucked in the north-eastern corner of New Mexico is an area known as the Enchanted Circle. Within this area are two of New Mexico's primary mountain bike destinations, Taos and Angel Fire. Connecting these two towns is the must-ride trail of the area, South Boundary. I grew up in Taos and many of my early mountain bike adventures were on the South Boundary Trail -- cracked helmets, finishing my rides in the dark, getting stuck above tree line in lightning storms. These were the moments that taught me to respect and love the sport of mountain biking. Although I have now been racing professionally for almost 10 years, I continue to return to this trail for new adventures, new challenges and a renewed appreciation for the sport I love.




The final descent into Taos on the South Boundary Trail is known as El Nogal. It is a classic New Mexico descent and one of my favorites. High-speed, rocky, loose and dusty it's the trail that made me the rider I am.

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A few minutes from the eastern end of the trail is the town of Angel Fire. Head up to Angel Fire Resort in the summer and you'll immediately notice crowds of mountain bikers heading up the chairlift at the Angel Fire Bike Park, another longtime mountain bike destination. I spent two years of high school in Angel Fire and the bike park was my after-school training ground. It's where I learned to climb as well as descend as the chairlifts would always be closed when school let out. Since high school, I've watched the park grow from a small but popular bike park to the Best Bike Park in the Southwest.

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Check out Angel Fire on Trailforks:

Macky descends the Devisadero trail in Taos NM. Photo - seanleader

Just across the road from South Boundary is another favorite, the Devisadero trail.



Image to support Welcome to the Land of Enchantment video.

To fully appreciate a South Boundary ride, you have to get a post-ride burrito from the Guadalajara Grill.


Images to support Welcome to the Land of Enchantment video.

And watch the sunset.



MENTIONS: @mackyfranklin / @seanleader / @pivotcycles / @AngelFireBikePark / @trailforks



Author Info:
mackyfranklin avatar

Member since Apr 21, 2010
5 articles

40 Comments
  • 10 0
 South Boundary is excellent, especially during fall. This video looks like a summer ride during monsoon season. Riding it in September and October during the aspen change is best. Here's an example from a month ago: www.pinkbike.com/photo/12869964/?trail=40210
  • 1 0
 I was looking forward to seeing him ride the more technical sections near the end of the trail. Bottom line, South Boundary is an awesome, long ride.
  • 4 0
 Check out the second video where I rode some more of El Nogal (the lower section of SB).
  • 1 0
 Amazing photo! Reminds me of riding the upper part of the Whole Enchilada in Moab. I can see why fall is the best time to go
  • 1 0
 Sweet!
  • 1 0
 Here's another fall pic of South Boundary: www.pinkbike.com/photo/3243687
  • 4 0
 If you find yourself in this part of the country you should also check out Los Alamos. Los Alamos has TONS of great trails all over the area, not just where the ski lifts are. Look at the general area on Google Maps and you'll see trails everywhere. Locally, we say that if you're in Los Alamos, you're never more than a few hundred yards from the nearest singletrack. FWIW, my morning commute is mostly singletrack. Los Alamos is the best kept secret in the southwest. Guess that's why Oppenheimer and those guys chose it as a place to make A-bombs...
  • 1 0
 A singletrack commute is a serious dream of mine. Well done.
  • 3 0
 I have some property in Angel Fire and Red River. I've only had a chance to ride and ski in the area a few times. Seeing this inspires me to move out that way sooner than later!
  • 4 0
 Thanks so much for this. I just booked a trip to Taos next summer, now I'm super stoked to go!!
  • 1 0
 Check out the Ojo caliente hot springs after your ride, really fun but be careful if you're too loud and rowdy you will get booted.
  • 4 0
 That burrito! Why?! Why?! I'm hungry and lived in NM for a year. Green chili smoothered burritos are to die for!
  • 2 0
 It's great to see this showcase in NM. I was fortunate enough to ride all of these trails when I was a guide for Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron. Great trails and great people. Best post rides burritos ever.
  • 2 0
 Man I almost rode the South Boundary trail this summer when I was passing through but ran out of time...Now Im really wishing i had
  • 2 0
 Don't miss it next time! It's SUH-WEET!
  • 2 0
 Ah this makes we miss this summer, the trails, the shop, friends, everything about that place sooo much!! I just want to move back!!!
  • 1 0
 I stumbled across a fun, fast trail with a lot of potential on my last visit to SBT:
www.mtbproject.com/trail/7007206/trail-660-mondragon-canyon-trail
Put some tires on it, it can only get better...
  • 3 0
 And there is so much more to northern new Mexico! You can now ride from Taos to red river as well!
  • 2 0
 You can on the highways, there's no trail route connecting the towns
  • 4 0
 Great riding in what looks a quality area. Well shot Macky!
  • 4 2
 I thought Id see more locals here.. Make sure you find a porta potty 25 minutes after you leave Guadalajara Grill. Or find some better food.
  • 3 0
 Maybe you've just got a weak-ass stomach! I ate Guadalajara every day for a week and I felt great.
  • 1 1
 Probably not, just spoiled by GOOD New Mexican food being a native. Reminds me of Filibertos.
  • 2 1
 Yup nope.. my grandfather was the governor of new mexico, and my grandmother cooked us traditional food the whole time i was growing up. So yes. you do have a weak stomach.
  • 1 0
 Its not hot food, its cheap, counter service and greasy. Whats your Granps name? Bill Richardson? That would explain why youre lying
  • 3 0
 Beautiful! I love New Mexico - especially the Sangre de Cristos and Taos region.
  • 3 0
 Very, very nice way to explain trails. Well done Macky!
  • 2 0
 Yeah, thanks for the insider goods! Is South Boundary rideable all year round, or does is get snow?
  • 1 0
 Unfortunately it's usually snowed in from late October until late May. Go check it out mid-June or as @Klainmeister mentioned, in late fall when the aspen are changing. Beautiful!
  • 1 0
 @mackyfranklin my ignorance had me really excited about riding in New Mexico at Christmas. Any insights on where to ride in the region over the holidays?
  • 1 0
 Sedona, Tuscon come to mind.
  • 1 0
 Yup, those the two @Klainmeister mentioned would work but you have to drive to AZ...If you want to stay in NM, check out the La Tierra trails in Santa Fe or even the lower-elevation stuff in Taos (Horse Thief just north of Arroyo Hondo, the Klauer trails a bit south of town and Talpa Traverse which is near the entrance to the Taos-Angel Fire canyon). None of those are as epic as South Boundary (or as gnarly) but they're lots of fun.
  • 2 0
 checkout dale ball trails in SF also more fun and technical than la tierra.
  • 1 0
 Rode DB south yesterday and was surprised that there's already snow packing down. For winter in NM, I'd give Galisteo Basin a look (great XC riding near Santa Fe) or White Mesa (kinda near ABQ). Definitely some interesting desert riding. The upper trails will be snowed in this year if all goes well.
  • 1 0
 Best trip to make this time of year is South Mountain in Phoenix, AZ.
  • 3 0
 The second vid reminds me of Otero Canyon NE of ABQ. Miss those trails.
  • 5 7
 Pajarito makes those other resorts look ridiculous. Pajarito is HAND BUILT by some very dedicated riders, and is so much fun!! Everyone riding in New Mexico should look it up. You can't go wrong!!
  • 10 3
 Pajarito is a great mountain but don't be that douchebag who thinks his trails are the gnarliest thing ever. Nobody cares.
  • 1 0
 Hand built vs machine built, hmmmm.
  • 1 0
 Pros and cons to each. Definitely more thought, care, and time put into hand built vs. dozing mini highways. Have ridden lots of machine built trails that are wide and smooth but lack flow.







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