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Barite Mine and Box Canyon |
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Barite Mine and Box Canyon |
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This ride explores a beautiful area on the east side of the Rio Grande, and includes a variety of riding conditions: single-track, some sand, and a couple of portages in the box canyon where the narrow stream-bed has cut through solid rock.
| Mileage | Surface | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | PAVED | Escondida Bridge. Head east on the paved road, following it as it heads south and becomes dirt. |
| 1.4 | DIRT | Pass the turn-oft for the Quebradas Back Country Byway Road. Don't turn. |
| 1.9 | DIRT | Honey for sale. |
| 2.6 | DIRT | Welding. Both branches of the road rejoin shortly. Go south. |
| 2 8 | DIRT | Turn left up an arroyo (east); there should be some indication of a road. The road will become clear in 0.1 mile and immediately climb out of the arroyo onto the ridge on the south bank of the arroyo. Do not continue up the arroyo. If you miss the turn-off (which is easy to do), you will soon see bee hives on the right; go back about 0.1 mile (and make adjustments to the mileage log). |
| 3.5 | DIRT | Cross a buried pipeline. You are now past most of the sand. |
| 3.9 | DIRT | Gate. Continue east. Close the gate. |
| 6.8 | DIRT | Another gate. You will be in a valley, heading south. |
| 7.1 | DIRT | Barite mine area. Look at the crystals, but be careful of open mine shafts and deep pits. Exit this area toward the southeast on an old (barely visible) road right next to the cliff-like rock wall, across an arroyo. The road appears more like a single-track; it will be a good test of your riding skills! |
| 8.4 | DIRT | The road ends after a steep down-hill into a large arroyo. Down stream, to the right (west), is a very narrow and wonderful canyon. You can lower your bikes through the canyon and continue following our route which will circle back to the mine, or you can eave your bikes here, explore the canyon by foot, and return to the mine the way you came. To continue on the loop |
| 8.5 | DIRT | Follow the arroyo downstream for about 0.6 miles. |
| 9.1 | DIRT | Turn right up a side arroyo that is wide enough for a jeep, and soon shows evidence of vehicular traffic. |
| 10.3 | DIRT | Back at the Barite Mine. Retrace your path back to |
| 17.8 | DIRT | Escondida Bridge |
