Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Desert Reunion: Bikepacking the North Monumental Loop (Video)
Earlier this winter, Katrina Hase and her son Ian set out to tackle the north end of the Monumental Loop in New Mexico. It was Ian’s first bikepacking trip and a welcome excuse for a mother-son reunion. Watch the video Katrina put together from their time together here…
Words, photos, and video by Katrina Hase
Craving an adventure, I plan a trip to New Mexico to bikepack the Monumental Loop out of Las Cruces, New Mexico. To my delight, my son Ian offers to come with—it’ll be his first bikepacking trip. We agreed to ride the north loop—called the Green Chile loop—of the figure-eight shaped route over three days and two nights. This video documents our mother and son reunion in early December 2023, bonding over bikes again as we explore the desert.
From the start, we remark how the route reads like a love letter to the area. Just 30 minutes into the ride, we arrive at the Main Street Farmers and Crafts Market, the sounds of local music serenading our efforts as we navigate loaded bikes through the crowded street. Just inside the Organ Mountains–Desert Peaks National Monument, we’re treated to a grin-inducing singletrack with sweeping views of the Organ Mountains to one side and the Rio Grande Valley to the other.
We pass by a historic fort, observe farmers working in pecan orchards, climb into the Robledos, descend into canyons, and visit the town of Hatch, the Green Chile Capital. We’re tested on White Gap Pass then immediately rewarded with sweeping views. Throughout the day, the colors change, highlighting new aspects of the landscapes that may, at first glimpse, have appeared monochromatic.
Further Reading
Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info...
Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed.
Share This
