Hilso Trailhead

Just a 20 minute plus drive takes you to a completely different landscape than Gallup. Instead of riding wide open mesas with little cover you are now in the forest and usually about 10 – 20 degrees cooler. Everything here is going to be ups and downs. You have three main parking areas to tackle the numerous trails with the most popular being the Hilso Trailhead.

Quaking Aspen

the ups:

You could make the argument this was the start of it all. Back in the last decade of the 1900s a group of trailblazers got permission from the National Forest Service to cut down some aspen trees for a trail, hence the birth of Quaking Aspen. It is a steady climb to the top offering three quick technical bursts. The trail follows a creek bed and offers some of the most beautiful terrain you can find in McGaffey.

quaking aspen

the downs:

Quaking Aspen offers the quickest up to Sheet Rock Tank, where you have several options for more trail riding. That being said. You usually find an alternative route down because it is not as much fun as some other options. However, if you find yourself at Sheet Rock Tank and you are ready to be done this is the quickest route. The big difference is you just don’t get the chance to go wide open coming down Quaking Aspen.