FATMAP by Strava

Glorieta: Cairn Me Up -> Jagged Axe

A rock-filled gnar fest, with some optional double black diamond features.

Mountain Biking Severe

Distance
10 km
Ascent
337 m
Descent
337 m
Duration
1-2 hrs
Low Point
2.2 km
High Point
2.5 km
Gradient
Glorieta: Cairn Me Up -> Jagged Axe Map

Glorieta Adventure Camps boasts the best purpose-built mountain bike trail system in New Mexico. The evolution of this network is a curious story of fortuitous connections and private land ownership. While the story is long and winding, today, riders from across the Southwest have flock to these fantastic trails to shred the gnar and enjoy the flow lines.

Description

Glorieta offers a handful of great ride options, of which this is one of the favorites. The ride begins by climbing the Cairn Me Up trail to get to the top of Jagged Axe. As of the time of this writing, Cairn Me Up is a freshly-built climbing route that offers mild grades yet remains entertaining thanks to the slickrock slabs that it ascends and the beautiful rock formations that it wraps around. Several viewpoints along the way offer welcome spots to take a break and enjoy the view.

At the top, you'll reach Jagged Axe, a full-on black diamond tech descent sprinkled with optional double black diamond features throughout. After blasting off the top of the mountain through some delightful chunder, the crux move of the trail comes at a steep drop into a narrow, rocky canyon. The main line drops onto a rock slab and slides sideways into the narrow gulley, but an alternate line takes an easier entrance.

From there, the pulverizing rock gardens, ledge drops, and advanced moves continue for several miles as you ride down rocky spines and sections of fall line singletrack. Beware of one particularly devastating-looking kicker rock drop that promises to launch you into the stratosphere. Again, there is a ride around for this feature.

At the bottom, you'll find more optional drops that are better-constructed than the kicker rock, with well-built launches leading to beautiful transitions.

If you haven't had enough after finishing this loop, consider heading further into the camp to hit either Chili Dog or Holy Mole.

Difficulty

Severe

Widely variable, narrow trail tread with steeper grades and unavoidable obstacles of 15in/38cm tall or less. Obstacles may include unavoidable bridges 24in/61cm wide or less, large rocks, gravel, difficult root sections, and more. Ideal for advanced-level riders.

High Exposure

3 out of 4

Some trail sections have exposed ledges or steep ascents/descents where falling could cause serious injury.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between April and November

Features

  • Technical
  • Singletrack
  • Drops
  • Jumps
  • Roots
  • Rock Rolls
  • Rock Slabs
  • Rock Gardens

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area