Quintana Pass
Quintana Pass is a little noticed, forested pass on the
"Southern Boundary Trail" single track route
near Taos, contained in several single track MTB
publications and located between Taos and Black Lake (
near the resort of Angel Fire ). The easily overlooked
pass is not along a high point of the trail, but a
junction along a climb to Osha Mountain. A third double
track trail leads to the pass from its southern side.
These three routes lead to many day trip possibilities.
Approaches
From East. This is one of many ways to get there
from Taos. FR 437
starts in Chalpa and leads through Rio Chiquito canyon. The
route lends itself as a quick way to get access to the western
part of the Southern Boundary Trail. The junction is near the
highest point of FR437. Finding the "Southern Boundary
Trail" heading west may be a little tricky the first
time. You have to go past the junction with FR438 and the
point where the Southern Boundary Trail joins from the east.
The trail diverts again from FR437 a short distance to the
north. The trail sign is hidden from the road, but can be
found by investigating some possible turnoffs. From here the
trail decends to cross a creek. The second picture was taken
near here. Quintana Pass is located at 9750 feet, partways up
the next climb to Osha Mountain at apr. 10400 feet. There is
no great view to celebrate at Quintana Pass, but a funky
homemade sign in the forest to mark the spot for single track
seeking cyclists (3rd picture).
From West. Continuing west over the pass, the route
keeps climbing to Osha Mtn, as mentioned. From there any
number of routes decend to the town of Black Lake or to its
north. The Southern Boundary Trail itself becomes very rocky
after it crosses FR76, which gets you down the mountain in
greater comfort. The first picture shows the decent from Osha
Mtn.
Tours
Dayrides. A dayride using the approaches outlined
above was planed leading back to the starting point in Taos by
way of paved Palo Flechado Pass. It was however cut short by a
closed Palo Flechado Pass due to a gasoline truck accident.
The ride from Taos over FR437 as far as the Angel Fire Resort
logged 56 miles and 5500 feet of climbing using a Cateye
A100 cyclometer.
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of bicycling passes
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