The Lost Lake Loop: An Epic Backcountry MTB Ride in New Mexico

POV out over mountain bike handlebars onto wildflower line trail

The kinds of rides that really feed my soul are big, backcountry loops— routes that showcase the best an area has to offer like sweeping views, dense forest, alpine lakes, and ridge-line traverses. So when I came across the Lost Lake Loop on TrailForks, I had a feeling it was going to be one of those rides.

And was it? 100%.

I absolutely loved this one, from the challenging climb and vibrant wildflowers to the peaceful beauty of Lost Lake and the lung-burning effort of pedaling above 10,000 feet. It’s not the kind of ride that will appeal to everyone, but it hit all the right notes for me.

In this post, I share everything you need to know about riding the Lost Lake Loop near Taos, New Mexico.

The Lost Lake Loop at a Glance

Location: Taos, New Mexico
Distance: 13.3 miles
Elevation gain: 2,279 feet
Elevation loss: 2,279 feet
High point: 10,570 feet

Remote backcountry feel, epic views, challenging climbs, & beautiful forests

POV out over mountain bike handlebars onto narrow trail lined with lush vegetation

What I like about the Lost Lake Loop

Peaceful, remote backcountry feel
Good mix of challenge and enjoyment
Beautiful views
Great lunch spot at Lost Lake

What I don’t

The climbing is real
Breathing while pedaling at 10,500 feet is hard
Afternoon thunderstorms can put a damper on your ride
Very popular with hikers, so you need to watch your speed

Watch on mountain bikers wrist showing almost 11,700 feet in elevation

Quick Tips

For riding the Lost Lake Loop in New Mexico

e-bikes are not allowed.
Don’t underestimate the elevation – you top out at 10,500 feet!
Afternoon thunderstorms during the summer can be intense and potentially dangerous.
You’re in black bear country. For the most part, they’re shy, but you should still be aware.
There are stretches of very narrow sidehill with very steep exposure. You don’t want to go off the edge.
Watch out for hikers.

TWW Take

Please note that these are my personal opinions – you may argue otherwaaaaise! And if so, state your case (politely) in the comments 🙂

Fun-ness Factor

Trail Variety

Average Difficulty

Preparing for your Lost Lake Loop Ride

Getting to the trailhead

It’s about an hours drive to the Lost Lake trailhead from Taos. Here are the Google Maps directions to where I parked.

CW or CCW? The TrailForks route has you riding the loop clockwise, which is what I did, but I’m not sure which is better… CW is easier climbing, but CCW is a better descent. So… I’m glad I did it the way I did it (CW), but if you don’t mind a bit more type 2 fun for a better downhill payoff, you might consider CCW.

South Boundary Trail Map

What to expect along the loop

The Lost Lake Loop keeps you on your toes, in the best way. I encountered a little bit of everything: mellow dirt road, sustained climbs (both smooth and technical), fast flowy sections, tight switchbacks, and chunky rock gardens. That variety is exactly why I loved it, no two miles felt the same! Here’s what to expect, mile-by-mile(ish).

Note: This is for riding the loop clockwise

Miles 0-1.5: Dirt Road Cruising

The first mile and a half is just on mellow dirt road up to the Lost Lake Loop parking area. You can park here, but it is a slight uphill that you’ll have to do at the end of your ride. I liked parking at the lower lot so I could finish on a downhill.

Mountain bike on remote gravel road — The first few miles are on a quiet gravel road

Miles 1.5-6: Climbing East Fork Trail to Lost Lake

Terrain: Mostly smooth singletrack with a few technical stretches, shale piles, and sidehill exposure
Feel: Peaceful, forested, and gradually more dramatic as you climb
Effort: Moderate to tough. It’s a long, steady climb (two hours) with a few steep pitches
Notes: This climb is beautiful and for me, surprisingly manageable. While there are definitely some steep and challenging sections, overall I found it very doable if I paced myself. I stayed in granny gear most of the way and just spun it out to the top. The trail winds through evergreen forest and aspen groves, and when I rode it in mid-July, wildflowers were everywhere. It was so beautiful!
As I gained elevation, I started to catch glimpses of Wheeler Peak and the trail became more rugged with some loose rock slides and shale to navigate (not easy to pedal over..). Near the top, things got a bit more technical and the sidehill exposure really kicks in. Please ride within your limits and stop if you want to take in the view or snap a photo. You don’t want to go over the edge! It took me about two hours to reach Lost Lake, just in time for a well-earned lakeside PB&J lunch.

Mountain bike leaning against trail sign on remote trail — This area looked like it burned a few years ago – most of the climb, though, is densely forested

Selfie of mountain biker at alpine lake — Made it to Lost Lake!

Miles 6-12: Descending Lost Lake Trail

Terrain: Technical sidehill singletrack, rocky sections, and fast, flowy trail with tight switchbacks
Feel: High-stakes at the top, then gradually more playful and fun
Effort: Moderate. It’s mostly descending, but with a few surprise climbs…
Notes: I was ready to bomb downhill from Lost Lake… but the trail had other plans. There’s still a bit more climbing after the lake, and I definitely had a few “wait, why am I still climbing?” moments before the descent actually began.
Once it does, though, the trail gets fast, fun, and a little spicy. The first couple miles feature some technical rock gardens and real sidehill exposure… definitely stay focused and ride within your comfort zone. Walking a few sections is totally reasonable if things feel too sketchy.
After that, the trail starts to open up. The exposure eases off, the tread smooths out, and the ride turns into a fast, flowy descent with a series of tight hairpin switchbacks. Keep your speed in check, they come up quick!
Overall, the descent is fun, but to be honest, I think climbing up Lost Lake Trail and descending down East Fork Trail (opposite to what I did) might have been even more fun. Clockwise gives you an easier climb, but counterclockwise delivers the better downhill. I’m still torn on the best direction…

POV of mountain bike on loamy, forested singletrack trail

Miles 12-13: Forest Road

The final mile of the loop is on dirt fire road. It trends downhill, so no more climbing!

Turn it into an overnight: If you’re into bikepacking, this could be a great loop to do as an overnight. There’s a primitive camping area on the shores of Lost Lake that you can camp at and if you’re really ambitious, you can summit Wheeler Peak in the morning before descending back down on your bike.

FAQs for riding Taos’s Lost Lake Loop

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are some helpful tips for riding the Lost Lake Loop outside of Taos:

No, e-bikes are not allowed on the Lost Lake Loop. Please respect this

It took me about 3.5 hours total to ride the loop. Two hours for the climb, a lunch stop at the lake and an hour descent. I went pretty slow and spun in granny gear most of the way to the top and I also stopped to take a lot of pictures. That said, I didn’t feel like the altitude affected me too much until I got to about 10,200 feet and I consider myself to be in pretty good shape 🙂

Not really. Once you’re committed to the loop you’re committed.

Yes, there are a number of streams you can refill at (bring a water filter) or you can refill at Lost Lake. I brought my hydration pack with 3L of water and didn’t need to refill.

Depending on the snowpack, the trail is probably open late-to-early July. That said, the trail crews might have gotten up there yet to clear downed trees, so I’d say mid-July (which is when I rode it) through late September are the best times of year to ride it.

When I rode in mid-July the wildflowers were beautiful and when my friend rode it in mid-September he said the changing aspens leaves were beautiful.

Yes, BUT you absolutely need some way to make sure you stay on route. This is a remote backcountry ride, please don’t head out there without a map. I use TrailForks (the pro version so I can download the map to my phone).

There is at the trailhead parking area and a bit at the start and end of the ride. But there is no cell service the farther in you get.

Need gear recs?

Head over to my gear closet! I’m always testing out new pieces of bike gear and if I really like them, they earn a place on this page.

See my gear favorites

The Lost Lake Loop was the kind of ride that reminds me why I love backcountry mountain biking so much: a big climb, beautiful scenery, a good of challenge, and that feeling of being way out there away from the hustle and bustle of life. I loved it and I’d be happy to do again if and when I’m back in the area (I’ll probably ride it CCW next time to see how it compares!)

If you’re in the Taos area and looking for a rewarding, off-the-beaten-path adventure, this one’s worth adding to your list, especially during wildflower or golden aspen season!

Is this a ride you’d like to do? What questions do you still have? Would you ride it in the spring (wildflowers) or fall (aspen foliage)? Leave a comment!