Maria's Canyon - FS 416

Total Miles
5.6

Elevation

2,279.44 ft

Duration

1 Hours

Technical Rating

2

Easy

Best Time

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Trail Overview

Maria's Canyon, FS 416, is a scenic off-road forest service road that offers an engaging experience and serves as the main access route into the extensive trail system in the area, making it a vital pathway for both recreational users and those exploring the natural beauty of the region. The journey begins just off Guaje Road with a steady climb that is often a well-maintained section of the road. This initial ascent leads you directly into the remnants of an old pumice mine notably by the white-colored dirt and sand. The road's condition can vary significantly as you move deeper into Maria's Canyon. The terrain becomes slightly more challenging with noticeable erosion patterns and small loose rocks scattered along the ever-winding path. The trail culminates at a significant landmark: a sprawling grazing area that provides ample space for wildlife and livestock alike. Depending on recent weather conditions, particularly rainfall, this area may feature a large watering hole that serves as an essential resource for animals in the region. The sight of this watering hole can be particularly striking after rain, creating a vibrant ecosystem around it.

Photos of Maria's Canyon - FS 416

Maria's Canyon - FS 416
Maria's Canyon - FS 416

Difficulty

Erosion and loose rocks may be present but there is nothing very difficult on this trail.

Technical Rating

2

Status Reports

There are no status reports yet for this trail.

Access Description

The OHV system north of the town of Los Alamos, New Mexico, is a completely unmarked and loosely maintained riding area made up of several intermediate single tracks connected by rocky and sandy jeep roads. Riding this area is essentially impossible without a GPS map, as the trails are very faint and unmarked, and will require extensive route finding. This area is best in fall and spring, as summer can be pretty hot here. The trails are a fun and unique mix of desert and pine forest with some intermediate challenges. Although there is no official staging area for these trails, there are a few hiking trailheads and dirt pull-offs along Rendija Road that can work as a staging area to ride these trails. From Rendija Road, take Maria's Canyon (FS 416), which has lots of deep ruts and rocks.

Popular Trails

The onX Offroad Difference

onX Offroad combines trail photos, descriptions, difficulty ratings, width restrictions, seasonality, and more in a user-friendly interface. Available on all devices, with offline access and full compatibility with CarPlay and Android Auto. Discover what you’re missing today!