If you want to ride up the forest road you will be happily repaid with Copper Canyon/Trail 10. I usually prefer shuttling or riding/hiking up 10 and then riding down. The top is full of steep switchbacks and the bottom is rocky and fast.

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Go by the LBS on the plaza in Socorro.

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Y.E.S.

road to observatory was closed for construction at observatory. guards refused entry.

Awsome ride has it all, fast sweeping turns, steeps, crazy switch backs, and a jump at the bottom. Probably the best trail in the Magnalenas. Best done in the rain, and pre ride music has to be "Hallowed be thy Name" by Iron Madien.

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Drive out from Socorro west on 60,turn left at water canyon, shuttle all the way to the top of South Baldy or ride 9 miles striat up hill. Your choice.

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Any other trails in the Magnalenas are good.

What are you talking about "advanced", this trail is gnarly. Trail ten is BADA$$. Don't ride it if you suck like me. Give trail 11 a shot, its fast and fun, just technical. Let us know if you are up for magdalena mania. mtb@lyris.nmt.edu

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Krank up the hill for 3 hours, pick a trail, go buck.

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All the trails are awesome, I haven't scratched the surface.

This is a killer ride!!!! More technical than I expected it to be. I carried my bike up to the top of S. Baldy and rode off the back side to trail 10. Trail 10 has about 15 tight steep switch backs that are hard to pull off. Tough single track and consequences of a wipe out at speed are not healthy. It is an awesome trail though and the downhill seems to last a long time. The climb up only takes 2 hours or so. The view from the top is incredible, the Magdalenas are a jewel of green surrounded by desert with other ranges visible in the hazy distance. Well worth the trip down from los Alamos and I'll be back again...

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same as described

This is a killer ride!!! More technical than I expected with some harry switch backs that are steep and tight. (I failed miserably and bit it hard on a few) The upper portion of the trail once you leave the ridge is steep and you are on the brakes heavily but trying not to skid. The trail is fast once on the valley floor the last three miles to the car. The view from the top is incredible! 360 degree view all around.You can see a huge chunk of New Mexico from the summit. The Magdallena mts. are like a green oasis in the middle of the desert. This trail starts out way high on the summit of S. Baldy 10,700 feet and drops down to 6500 feet on the floor of water canyon in 6 miles. Its well worth the trip down from los alamos and I will be back again.

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same as described

Well, this is indeed a BIG climb - nearly 4000' in 8 miles! But the scenery itself is worth it. There are beautiful vistas down Water/Copper Canyon out to the plains and the meadows at the top are incomparable. The original plan was to ride Trail 10 down (see other description - the top looked intense) but we were riding in the height of the monsoon season and needed to get down in a hurry. The climb took about 2 hrs. elapsed time and the descent was 20 minutes! Very worthwhile but I want to ride the singletrack off the top next time.

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Forest Service road to top and return same or take the Trail 10 singletrack

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I haven't ridden them but I would like to try North Baldy and link it with South Baldy... now that would be epic.