If the System Worked, Would Unsanctioned Trail Building Stop?

In the mountains of southern New Mexico, the difference between sanctioned and unsanctioned trails is not particularly close.

One local builder estimates that unofficial trails outnumber sanctioned trails by roughly ten to one. That ratio reflects a deeper divide over what kinds of trails should exist, who they should serve, and how long riders are expected to wait for something different.

Yes, there are sanctioned trails in the area. However, what is missing, according to the builder, are trails designed specifically for mountain bikes, particularly trails that challenge advanced riders.

The closest bike-specific trails are approximately 40 miles away and sit between 1,500 and 2,000 feet lower in elevation. During the summer, when temperatures rise across southern New Mexico, those lower-elevation trails can become uncomfortably hot.

For riders seeking steep, technical, and challenging terrain closer to home, the official network offers few options.

So they build their own.