Saturday, October 9th: Los Alamos

Altitude: above 7,200 ft.
Ride Time: 9:30am sharp! at Sullivan Field (see Directions Page)
Distance: Varies
Difficulty: A and B rides
Description: Los Alamos is situated at ~7,300 feet, on top of the Pajarito Plateau and at the base of the Jemez Mtns. The riding is very rocky in places since the plateau is comprised of volcanic tuff. The Cerro Grande fire of May, 2000 consumed a few hundred homes and many miles of singletrack, but most everything (including the trails) has been rebuilt. Pajarito Ski Area, next to town, has more singletrack every year, and a steep DH course with big stunts and a rock garden to rival that of Angel Fire (except that you've got to earn your turns since the lift only runs on race weekends). The top of the ski area is just over 10,000 feet, and abuts the SE corner of the new Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Ride A - Leave Sullivan Field and head S. on Diamond Drive, crossing the L.A. Canyon bridge. Take the Homestead Trail behind the Research Park, link to a nameless trail along the N. side of W. Jemez Rd. At the ski area access road, cross W. Jemez and catch the LANL Fitness Trail. Follow Fitness Trail S., past the new EOC, until it drops down to meet W. Jemez. Cross road and take Nail Trail up the ridge. Where Nail Trail goes left toward Pajarito Canyon, stay right and take the double-track on up until it dumps out on the ski hill road. Follow pavement for ~0.75 miles to Pajarito Mtn. lodge. Take W. singletrack that starts up alongside the triple chair, and follow this up, down, and up (including the new section) until it hits the road. Follow jeep road ~0.75 miles to top of Mother Lift, then go thru woods to the oversized bench that looks over the Valle Grande and Cochiti Lake (very nice views and good lunch spot). Then descend one of 3 singletrack or road routes to base (the DH race course is an option here), back down pavement the way we came, but drop down into Pajarito Cnyn for that half of Nail Trail loop. Cross W. Jemez, follow Fitness N. to Dick Less. Down Dick Less, then cross W. Jemez and re-trace our route back to Sullivan Field.
 Notes: This ride packs alot, with the technical Nail Trail traversing a large section of burned area before getting into the woods & aspen at the ski area. There's a great view of northern NM at the top, and the descent options include the DH course and other singletrack so you don't need to retrace your route. There are reasonable opportunities for bailing or shortening the day, but the full ride will have you climbing a little more than 3,000 feet.

Ride B - From the Sullivan Field parking lot, head N. on Diamond Dr. to Ridgeway, then up to access the start of the Perimeter Trail. Follow the up&down, rocky&challenging Perimeter Trail as it skirts the edge of town all the way down to the cemetery. Catch a bit of the Dot Grant trail and then drop into Bayo Canyon at the traffic circle. Down south side of Bayo canyon (out-of-towners will get a big kick out of zipping through the "slots"). Up north side of Bayo canyon, cut over across Barranca Mesa to the drop into Rendija canyon. Up out of Rendija back to the traffic circle, then go behind the golf course on the Walnut Canyon Rim to the Pueblo Canyon Bridges trail, up and out at the Aquatic center and then back to Sullivan Field.
 Notes: This is a solid B ride and not well-suited for C riders. It has a total elevation gain of about 1000 feet, but this is not buff, smooth singletrack, and involves some hike-a-bike. It gives an excellent tour of the abundant Los Alamos singletrack convenient to every resident's door, and includes a significant portion of the Pajarito Punishment racecourse.

Gas/Food/Lodging: Gas is cheaper in LA than in Santa Fe or Taos. Los Alamos is not known for its fine dining, but a decent meal can be had. The sidewalks roll up at 8pm, so those desiring a night out should look to Santa Fe or Taos. The Sunrise Bakery across from the High School has an excellent breakfast buffet on Saturdays, and also has breakfast burritos and baked goods to go. There's a Starbucks downtown, but for those preferring Seattle's Best, head to Film Festival at the top of Conoco Hill (ask any local for directions). There are a few hotels to choose from, all of which are in the phone book. The prettiest camp spot is at Camp May, which despite its name has no facilities. Drive through the ski area parking lot, keep going for another quarter mile and you're there. The Canada Bonita trail starts at Camp May and makes a nice afternoon or night ride. Camping is also permitted on the Forest Service land along the ski hill access road. Bandelier National Monument also has camping, but it is not convenient to town or the riding (and no riding is permitted on the trails within the monument). Showers will be available at the YMCA, 1450 Iris St., 505-662-3100, for $3 per person. Word has it that one of the local LA riders has room to host a few visiting riders, so ask around.
 Note: Do NOT speed in Los Alamos. There are a relatively large number of police officers in a town with relatively little crime. You do the math.