Some of the ride here have such cool names, like the Burro Enduro we rode the other day. This one is called Bear Mountain Mayhem and is a pretty big loop at 30.3 miles and 3091′ of climbing topping out around 7100′. The description said, “A savage backcountry exploration.” I agree.
We started right in downtown Silver City and headed out some country road too Bear Mountain Road which is dirt/gravel. We climbed steadily on this gravel road until I felt like we were in the middle of nowhere (we were). After a long descent down the backside, we turned onto the Continental Divide Trail.
The trail is VERY feint at the start and then once we got to the trees, the little CDT signs started appearing to guide us. The singletrack switchbacks up and around but is entirely rideable. It’s rocky in parts and forested which provided nice shade on a warm day. At the top we crossed over and started the rugged, rocky technical descent. This downhill is a blast!!!!! Really, it was pure pleasure. I’d ride this again and again if I could.
We descended to Walnut Creek (dry this time of year) and then rode up along the ravine for awhile through the canyon. It would be fun to see this section with water in it. The next climb was fairly steady but way easier than what we had climbed on the north side of the CDT. Next we veered from the CDT onto an access trail that took us to the Gomez Peak Trail System.
Gomez Peak is a fun little trail system that doesn’t have a lot as far as mileage goes, but the trails are fairly steep and rocky = fun. We wound around until we popped out on Walnut Creek Road for a road ride back to town.
Overall, I really liked this big ride. If I could change one thing it would be the road ending. If there was a way, and maybe there is, to get back on trail, this would be a humdinger of a ride.
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