Trail Mix is a monthly column about off-the-beaten-path adventures in New Mexico.
A mountain biking and trail running Mecca lies less than a 45-minute drive east of Albuquerque.
Tucked away into the rolling hills of the Manzanita Mountains to the east of the far more imposing Manzano Mountains, the area boasts an extensive trail system with none of the crowds of the Sandia foothills.
The Manzanitas can be reached by taking Highway 337 from Tijeras south to Mountainair. The Manzanos rise to the west, while the Manzanitas extend east before dropping to the high desert plains of eastern New Mexico. Several small towns lie along the highway, but be sure to pick up any supplies or gas in Tijeras.
Cedro Peak and the surrounding trail systems are a great gateway to the Manzano subrange. Rising to an elevation of 7,767 feet, the prominent peak offers off-roading, mountain biking and hiking opportunities. Mountain biking is the main draw to this under-the-radar range, but many of the trails are single-track and see little disturbance from mountain bikers. Many of the trails around Cedro Peak are characterized by piñons and junipers with large meadows. The Manzanitas’ small crowds have also allowed the fields to host large undisturbed early spring floods of wildflowers.
For those seeking a quieter trail, Cedro Peak Singletrack to Meadow Ridge offers stunning views of the rolling juniper hills to the east while also showcasing the high peaks of the Manzano Mountains. The trails can be accessed from Cedro Peak Trailhead. A roughly 5-mile loop can be made back to Cedro Peak Trailhead at the junction of Meadow Ridge and Rattlesnake. Just be sure to walk back east toward Cedro Peak.
The summit of Cedro Peak can be reached by Forest Road 252 or a short hike from Cedro Peak Trailhead. Cedro Peak lookout tower as well as dozens of radio towers lie at the top of the peak.
A longer loop that weaves through the range’s gentle hills and forests of ponderosas can be accessed from Oak Flat Trailhead. Take the Oak Flat connector trail from the parking lot to Easy Pickin. From Easy Pickin, take the small single track to Mahogany Trail. All these trails are single-track trails defined by dispersed forests of ponderosa and piñon in the canyons and open juniper forests on the mesas. The gentle climbs and constant elevation gain and loss on these trails also make them a mountain biker’s paradise. Apart from a few mountain bikers, hikers should expect quiet and open trails filled with spring wildflowers and plenty of birding opportunities.
The Manzanitas’ extensive trail network makes a map a necessary piece of gear for the day.
The Forest Service website has an excellent trail map of the Manzanitas and more information can be found at the Tijeras Ranger Station at the north end of Highway 337.