FR437 summit(u)
Forest Road 437, leaving the valley near Talpa (Taos
area) is probably best known to mountain bikers for
providing access to high sections of the South Boundary
Trail. But the climb on this smooth dirt road is an
excellent workout in its own right. FR437 provides a way
of cycling to 10000 feet in a quick, efficient manner. In
spite of this relatively high altitude, the entire route
exhibits a forested foothills character.
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01.(6970ft,mile00) START-END SOUTH:
jct NM68-NM518, north of Ranchos de Taos
02.(7100ft,mile03) jct NM518-FR437, south of Talpa
03.(8990ft,mile14) turn left, away from Rio Chiquito
valley
04.(9920ft,mile16) FR438 and route from Chosa Pass
joins from right
05.(10000ft,mile17) TOP
06.(8330ft,mile23) FR437 ends on US64. Profile turns
left to Taos
07.(7190ft,mile33) START-END NORTH: jct NM585 -
US64, south east of Taos; profile continues on NM585
08.(6940ft,mile36) START-END NORTH ALTERNATE: jct
NM585 - NM68
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 Approaches
From South. The dirt road leading up Rio
Chiquito Canyon is exceptionally smooth and leads up a lush
wooded canyon, following a gurgling stream. After a long warm
up, the FR437 leaves the stream and climbs steeply up a side
canyon. There are no views on top, just a pleasant, rounded,
forested hill with various cowgrates and junctions, including
FR438 to Osha Pass. Access to
the western part of the Southern Boundary Trail, heading for Quintana
Pass, is hidden away from the road.
From North. Heading up from Valle Escondido, FR437
is rockier on this side. It also carries a little more
traffic.
Dayrides. A circular ride from Taos to Talpa,
traversing FR437 over the summit, returning to Taos via
the lower part of the Palo
Flechado Pass road measured 46 miles with 3930 feet of
climbing in 4.4 hours, using a Cateye 100A cycle computer
setup.
back to New
Mexico's Summits and Passes by Bicycle
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