Sidewinder

“One of my favorite trails, not to hard, not to easy.”
-Video Guy

Rated: 6

Trail Length: 14.5 miles
Elevation: From 4464 to 5307 feet
Terrain Type: Sandy bottom arroyo with some wet climbs, ledges, and rocks
Major Obstacles: Ledges up to about 4 foot tall
Technical Ability: Experienced
Vehicle Recommendations: 35″ tires, two traction devices, good approach angle, modified suspension, lifted vehicle.
Elevated Hazard: Summer Monsoon season, rains can cause flash flooding, be extra careful in the summer.
Comment: This trail offers one hard climb and a few easy sloping climbs and some rocks to get through. The last major ledge puts the trail to the 6 rating. It’s a 3 to 4 foot ledge depending which part you decide to climb. There are two huge water falls on the trail but these have by-passes. Without the by-passes the rating would be much higher. I have seen one of the waterfalls traversed by a well built Jeep on 42 inch stickies. SxSs can run this trail, they will just have to take a few more by-passes. There are some optional climbs to make this one harder.

This trail is located in Rattle Snake Canyon, between La Luz and Tularosa.
Meet up location is on Sun Valley Road next to Hughes Feed Store off of Highway 54.
There is an air-down and parking area at the end of Sun Valley Road.
There are two gates to go through before you drop into the arroyo, please close the gates behind you.
The trail is up the arroyo a bit, at the Y in the arroyo you go left.