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A great looped trail on old railroad grades and rolling singletrack.


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Map Key

3.1

Miles

5.0

KM

Point to Point

8,213' 2,503 m

High

7,744' 2,360 m

Low

248' 76 m

Up

468' 143 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (3°)

8%

Max Grade (4°)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Description

This moderate trail at 8,000 ft elevation is one of the more popular trails in the area. Hiking Switchback can be done both directions depending on the type of outing you are looking for. Mapped out, you'll begin in the middle of the trail if you're starting at the TH off of Bailey Canyon Rd. Continuing south from the north trailhead will give you a few early hills to climb that continue down hill on the old Cloud-Climbing Railway grade. About halfway through, you'll hit the pedestrian bridge, cross Hwy 82, and push on uphill back to the TH on mixed trail, combining this route with the Old Cloudcroft Highway Trail (T5002). Just before returning to the TH, you'll pass under Hwy 82 in a drainage tunnel.

Flora & Fauna

Deer and elk are popular in this area.

Contacts

Shared By:

Eric Borer

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 3 votes

#4

in Cloudcroft

#12128

Overall
  4.0 from 3 votes
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Trail Rankings

#4

in Cloudcroft

#181

in New Mexico

#12,128

Overall
5 Views Last Month
1,456 Since Jan 21, 2017
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

View along Switchback Trail.
Oct 28, 2017 near La Luz, NM
Trail overpass at Highway 82
Oct 28, 2017 near La Luz, NM
Trail underpass crossing Highway 82.
Oct 28, 2017 near La Luz, NM

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