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Recreational Activities
Home : Ranger
Districts : Española Ranger District
: Trails
Trail 279, Cabra Loop Trail
  
Length: 2.7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Use: Heavy
Seasons: Spring, summer, and fall
Highest and Lowest Points: 6,900 feet to 7,600 feet
Trail Access: The Cabra Loop Trail can be accessed from either
the Rendija Trail 297 or from the Pajarito Trail 286. To access
it from the Rendija Trail, follow the Rendija Trail east from the
Guaje Pines Cemetary for .8 miles to the Cabra Trail junction. To
access it from the Pajarito Trail, take San Ildefonso Road to Forest
Road 57, heading towards the Sportsman’s club shooting range.
Just after the end of the pavement, turn north to a small parking
area with a Forest Service trailhead kiosk. This is the trailhead
for the Pajarito Trail. Follow the Pajarito down across Rendija
Canyon and up the other side, and you will junction with the Cabra
Loop Trail in about .6 miles.
USGS Maps: Guaje Mountain
Description:
Leaving the junction with the Rendija Trail, the Cabra Trail
switchbacks a couple times as it climbs out of Rendija Canyon,
and continues steadily up a side canyon untill it tops out
on a mesa top known locally as Beanfield Mesa, where settlers
once dry farmed. The trail skirts the edge of Cabra Canyon
with some dramatic views, then continues climbing to the north
and meets the old Upper Guaje Road, now closed to motor vehicles.
Most bikers using this trail will ride a loop consisting of
Upper Cemetary Road and this western portion of the Cabra
Loop Trail.
If you continue east on the Cabra Loop, expect areas of both
deep and loose eroding pumice soils and very rough rocky trail.
This eastern half of the loop is not really suitable nor recommended
for biking, but can be an interesting hike. Continuing east,
look just north of this junction for the leg of the Cabra
Loop Trail that will turn to the east and bring you down to
the junction with the Pajarito Trail.
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Notes:
 This
trail, like many in the Los Alamos area, is at least partially
within the area burned by the Cerro Grande Fire of 2000. The
trail has suffered severe damage in some places, and trail
rehabilitation efforts have failed to fully restore the trail
to pre-fire conditions.
Visitors
should be aware of dangers and hazards in the burned area.
In particular, recreation in the burned area should be avoided
during windy days and during rainstorms due to the danger
of flash floods and falling trees. |
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