Cruces Basin BFL
Canceled
Nate Berg
is the coordinator for this ride.
He will handle any proposed route changes,
pre-rides, ride day sign-in/sign-out, etc.
Thanks Nate!!!
is the coordinator for this ride.
He will handle any proposed route changes,
pre-rides, ride day sign-in/sign-out, etc.
Thanks Nate!!!
This is fully unsupported and you will need to be self-sufficient in order to complete.
Please make sure to read all rules for this ride.
The rules are located HERE.
No more than 74 people allowed for this ride!
- I would encourage Epic riders to start as early as possible to maximize available light, even so it would be a good idea to carry a light in case you get caught out later than expected. I suggest the start times below as the latest you'd want to start.
- Saturday 8/12 7 AM: Brazos Ridge CDT and Gravel Epics
- Saturday 8/12 8 AM: Brazos Ridge CDT Full
- Saturday 8/12 9 AM: Brazos Ridge CDT Half
- Sunday 8/13 7 AM: El Rito Gravel Epic
- Sunday 8/13 9 AM: Hopewell CDT Fun Ride
- This agenda is a "suggestion", feel free to ITT any route on any day that fits best your ambition and schedule.
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What: Gravel Grinder and/or MTB
- Choose your own adventure! Multiple routes have been provided as suggested options so mix and match as much as you like.
- Due to the remoteness of these courses and the speed with which weather can change I cannot over emphasize the importance of being prepared for a variety of conditions. This area does not handle active precipitation well, but recovers relatively quickly to tacky goodness.
- Also due to the remoteness there will not be sag drops, and I still have to determine if I will be able to get a water drop on route. That said for the Epic riders filtering on the Rio Los Pinos is a good option that comes at the furthest points out on the course.
GPS Tracks:
Go here to convert to other GPS formats
- No warranty, express or implied, use at your own discretion.
- Garmin users can download directly into their supported devices from the Garmin Connect pages below. Be sure to a test “Do course” to make sure the track downloaded properly.
- You can also export the track to GPX from these pages, load into TopoFusion and then download to your GPS. Use this option for non Garmin users and those that above option doesn't work.
- Mountain Bike Routes:
- Brazos Ridge CDT Epic (96 miles, 11,000')
- Brazos Ridge CDT Full (74 miles, 8,300')
- Brazos Ridge CDT Half (45 miles, 4,800')
- Hopewell CDT South Fun Ride (19 miles, 2,800')
- Gravel Routes
- Brazos Ridge Gravel Epic (108 miles, 11,500')
- El Rito Gravel Epic (95 miles, 10,000')*
Go here to convert to other GPS formats
- Go here to download TopoFusion PRO Free/Demo
Details:
The theme of this weekend-long event is "Choose Your Own Adventure!". I've provided a selection of courses and vetted them the best I can for a first year event.
Water Options on Route (all of these require the use of filtration/purification):
Brazos Ridge CDT Epic begins by descending along Placer Creek before crossing US64 over to FR1893, from FR1893 the route follows Tony Marquez trail over to FR80 which then joins the Brazos Ridge Gravel Epic at FR133. From there the two courses are the same as they head north and offer a view of San Antonio mountain on their way to circumnavigate the Cruces Basin Wilderness. After reaching the Brazos Ridge overlook the courses will diverge with CDT Epic following a mostly singletrack route back to the lake.
The Brazos Ridge Gravel Epic starts by taking a right turn onto US64 and descending the pavement to FR133 and heading north. After looping the Cruces Basin Wilderness the course heads back south following the same route until it reaches FR80 where it goes right and heads over for a short section of Tony Marquez trail to get to FR1893 followed by a descent to US64 and a short pavement transfer back to the lake. The Tony Marquez trail is quite primitive for a gravel bike, so it is also an option to follow hte start route back on 133 to 64, this requires the long paved climb back to Hopewell lake that you descended at the beginning. For a much more moderate gravel ride simply turn left on FR80 on your way north on Fr133 to make a scenic loop.
The circumnavigation of the Cruces Basin Wilderness does require wading across the Rio Los Pinos after dropping down from the Osier railroad settlement on the Cumbres and Toltec, in July this was less than knee deep at most and by September I would suspect the level to drop further. The route is fairly rugged in spots, so for the Gravel Epic it is a toss up if you'll be better on a light mountain bike or a gravel bike. There's enough fast dirt road that I don't think either bike choice would have a significant advantage. Either way bring your climbing gears and legs.
BR CDT Full is the same as the Epic except that it skips the circumnavigation of the Cruces Basin Wilderness and heads to a turn-around point at the Brazos Ridge.
BR CDT Half cuts over to the CDT on Forest Road 93 and uses a relatively short stretch of CDT singletrack back to Hopewell Lake.
The CDT South Fun ride is a terrific taste of CDT singletrack south of Hopewell that then loops back up Forest Road 91B, only to drop you down 91B1 to Long Canyon and the climb up Placer Creek for the Happy Ending.
The El Rito Gravel Epic is the real deal! This course consist of 3 loops as you head south so you can shorten the course as necessary. You'll head south on FR91B and make a left turn on FR91 to FR42 where you'll make a right onto FR42. FR42 will take you back across FR91B which you take back to Hopewell or continue to a left turn on FR110 followed by a right on FR45 which will take you over to NM111. At NM111 go left to continue for the Full Epic or right to return back completing 2 of the 3 loops. If you go left, you will then make a right turn on FR44 through the community of Vallecitos (there were some aggressive dogs right at this corner when I was reconing the route). You'll come to a Y after the pavement ends, stay right on FR106 and buckle up for the 2500' climb back up to 9500' followed by a long descent, go left on FR559 and down to El Rito (becomes NM110 when you reach pavement). When you get to El Rito make a left on CR247 which will then become FR44. Follow FR44 all the way back through Vallecitos and left on NM111. Stay on this and it becomes FR42 where the pavement ends. Follow FR42 back to the intersection with 91B, where you will go left and continue on 91B all the way back to Hopewell lake.
The theme of this weekend-long event is "Choose Your Own Adventure!". I've provided a selection of courses and vetted them the best I can for a first year event.
Water Options on Route (all of these require the use of filtration/purification):
- Brazos Ridge CDT and Gravel Epic: After passing through Osier you cross the Rio Los Pinos, this is a good spot to filter at about the furthest point out on the course. You'll also cross the Rio Los Pinos on FR87 between FR133 and FR93. Gravel riders will cross this both outbound and on the return. CDT riders will not cross this on the return.
- Brazos Ridge CDT Full: Lagunitas creek has had a reasonable flow in it when I've encountered it. You cross it on the CDT shortly after crossing FR87 from Lagunitas campground heading south. On the way outbound you will cross the Rio Los Pinos on FR87 between FR133 and FR93, you may just want to top up here to be safe.
- Brazos Ridge CDT Half: You'll cross Rio San Antonio on FR93 before you reach FR87, or a few miles later on FR87 before you reach FR133.
- El Rito Gravel Epic: This one could be a challenge to find good water. The best option is when you cross the Rio Vallecitos in the community of Vallecitos, however I have encountered some aggressive dogs in Vallecitos. One option is probably El Rito creek which you will cross after the major descent on FR106 immediately before you turn left on 559 although this is a seasonal creek and may have little/no flow. This is at the far south end. I spoke with a person at the El Rito Ranger Station who indicated if the Fire service guys were around there could be access to a water hydrant there. This is on your left shortly after the left turn in El Rito. In a pinch if you locate the water hydrant and top up it is better to ask forgiveness than to have an issue later. Those who choose to shorten the route and not do the southernmost loop should not count on finding water. There are a few small creeks that might work, but they may not be flowing well and likely fouled by cows.
Brazos Ridge CDT Epic begins by descending along Placer Creek before crossing US64 over to FR1893, from FR1893 the route follows Tony Marquez trail over to FR80 which then joins the Brazos Ridge Gravel Epic at FR133. From there the two courses are the same as they head north and offer a view of San Antonio mountain on their way to circumnavigate the Cruces Basin Wilderness. After reaching the Brazos Ridge overlook the courses will diverge with CDT Epic following a mostly singletrack route back to the lake.
The Brazos Ridge Gravel Epic starts by taking a right turn onto US64 and descending the pavement to FR133 and heading north. After looping the Cruces Basin Wilderness the course heads back south following the same route until it reaches FR80 where it goes right and heads over for a short section of Tony Marquez trail to get to FR1893 followed by a descent to US64 and a short pavement transfer back to the lake. The Tony Marquez trail is quite primitive for a gravel bike, so it is also an option to follow hte start route back on 133 to 64, this requires the long paved climb back to Hopewell lake that you descended at the beginning. For a much more moderate gravel ride simply turn left on FR80 on your way north on Fr133 to make a scenic loop.
The circumnavigation of the Cruces Basin Wilderness does require wading across the Rio Los Pinos after dropping down from the Osier railroad settlement on the Cumbres and Toltec, in July this was less than knee deep at most and by September I would suspect the level to drop further. The route is fairly rugged in spots, so for the Gravel Epic it is a toss up if you'll be better on a light mountain bike or a gravel bike. There's enough fast dirt road that I don't think either bike choice would have a significant advantage. Either way bring your climbing gears and legs.
BR CDT Full is the same as the Epic except that it skips the circumnavigation of the Cruces Basin Wilderness and heads to a turn-around point at the Brazos Ridge.
BR CDT Half cuts over to the CDT on Forest Road 93 and uses a relatively short stretch of CDT singletrack back to Hopewell Lake.
The CDT South Fun ride is a terrific taste of CDT singletrack south of Hopewell that then loops back up Forest Road 91B, only to drop you down 91B1 to Long Canyon and the climb up Placer Creek for the Happy Ending.
The El Rito Gravel Epic is the real deal! This course consist of 3 loops as you head south so you can shorten the course as necessary. You'll head south on FR91B and make a left turn on FR91 to FR42 where you'll make a right onto FR42. FR42 will take you back across FR91B which you take back to Hopewell or continue to a left turn on FR110 followed by a right on FR45 which will take you over to NM111. At NM111 go left to continue for the Full Epic or right to return back completing 2 of the 3 loops. If you go left, you will then make a right turn on FR44 through the community of Vallecitos (there were some aggressive dogs right at this corner when I was reconing the route). You'll come to a Y after the pavement ends, stay right on FR106 and buckle up for the 2500' climb back up to 9500' followed by a long descent, go left on FR559 and down to El Rito (becomes NM110 when you reach pavement). When you get to El Rito make a left on CR247 which will then become FR44. Follow FR44 all the way back through Vallecitos and left on NM111. Stay on this and it becomes FR42 where the pavement ends. Follow FR42 back to the intersection with 91B, where you will go left and continue on 91B all the way back to Hopewell lake.