4. Elephant Butte to Reserve
Elephant Butte to Reserve – 162 Miles
Launch this section in Elephant Butte, a town that got its moniker from a striking butte in the nearby reservoir. Don’t miss out on the many thermal pools that nearby Truth or Consequences offers – it’s the best way to soak away the aches and pains from a long day in the saddle! The route moves north along the banks of Elephant Butte Lake, which boasts some of the most spectacular camping along the entire NMBDR. After bisecting I-25, the road climbs up and into the Sierra Cuchillo foothills of the Black Range and on toward Wilson. Stock up on fuel and supplies at the General Store and get ready for the optional advanced section through Chloride Canyon, a protracted technical section (you’ll cross Chloride Creek nearly 100 times in this section), before riding up and over the divide to Reserve.
This is arguably the most remote part of the NMBDR: if you aren’t a confident and skilled rider, we recommend skirting this section and hitting the pavement for 30 miles instead of riding the dirt. The following 100 miles escorts riders through high-elevation woodland, breathtaking scenery, and fast, rhythmic double-track. Pristine freshwater lakes accent the entire journey – pick a pool and take a quick, invigorating dip to clear your head for the rest of the trip.
4. Elephant Butte to Reserve
Elephant Butte to Reserve – 162 Miles
Launch this section in Elephant Butte, a town that got its moniker from a striking butte in the nearby reservoir. Don’t miss out on the many thermal pools that nearby Truth or Consequences offers – it’s the best way to soak away the aches and pains from a long day in the saddle! The route moves north along the banks of Elephant Butte Lake, which boasts some of the most spectacular camping along the entire NMBDR. After bisecting I-25, the road climbs up and into the Sierra Cuchillo foothills of the Black Range and on toward Wilson. Stock up on fuel and supplies at the General Store and get ready for the optional advanced section through Chloride Canyon, a protracted technical section (you’ll cross Chloride Creek nearly 100 times in this section), before riding up and over the divide to Reserve.
This is arguably the most remote part of the NMBDR: if you aren’t a confident and skilled rider, we recommend skirting this section and hitting the pavement for 30 miles instead of riding the dirt. The following 100 miles escorts riders through high-elevation woodland, breathtaking scenery, and fast, rhythmic double-track. Pristine freshwater lakes accent the entire journey – pick a pool and take a quick, invigorating dip to clear your head for the rest of the trip.
Beaverhead Ranger Station
NMBDR POI
Chloride Canyon
Chloride Canyon Chloride Canyon has a fun twisty road that passes by many different mines and petroglyph sites. Visit Website »
Chloride Ghost Town
Chloride Ghost Town The historic town of Chloride is located approximately 23 miles north of Kingman, Arizona, and 80 miles south of Las Vegas, Nevada, and just a short 4 miles off Highway 93. The historic town is located in Chloride, the oldest silver mining camp in Arizona. Stop by the historic town for a free afternoon of fun in the old west. We show a free movie about Chloride’s history and give out lots of free popcorn too. Be sure to visit the authentic museum set up like a home from the era of the late 1890′s. The historic town has a jail, an assayer’s office, an undertaker’s office, a saloon, a general store, a livery stable, blacksmith’s shop, Lavender Lace’s Boarding House for Fine Women, a bank, a schoolhouse, and a feed store. Visit Website »
Dipping Vat Lake & Campground
Elephant Butte Reservoir & CG
177 Monticello Point Rd Truth or Consequences, NM, 87901, USA
Geronimo Trail National Scenic Byway
Geronimo Trail National Scenic Byway Born in a quirky desert town built over bubbling underground hot springs, the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway taps the largest reservoir in New Mexico before kinking its way through rugged, carved canyons, thickly wooded mountain passes, quaint villages and ghost towns to the nation’s first declared wilderness. Here, in the Gila National Forest, travelers may connect to the Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway or retrace their steps back to I-25. Visit Website »
Pioneer Store Museum
Wall Street Rd and Chloride Second St
Winston - Food & Gas1
NM4 - Elephant Butte to Reserve
NM4 ALT Harder - Chloride Canyon
NM4 ALT Harder - Corner Mtn
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