The trails
Moderate
Amaitista Ledges
It starts with a down slope through Big Jim Canyon with plenty of ledges and small waterfalls. The Bath Tub is the axle breaker.
Hopping Jalapeo
Heads up and down four canyons with several ledges and drop offs, the Grease Pit is a deep crack that must be straddled to pass. You can literally change your oil without crouching.
San Diego Mountain
One of the more scenic runs, this trail offers tough sections too with sandy arroyos, rolling boulders, and very off-camber paths. Articulation Alley will push your driving skills to the limit, as well as the tough switchbacks and washouts.
Upper Broad Canyon
A series of rock playgrounds with waterfalls, steep hills, rockclimbs, off-camber 'crawling, and slickrock traversing. Large tires and at least one locker are a plus.
The trails
Hard
Doa AnaMountains
This trail offers three levels of excitement depending on which path you follow in, on, or around the mountains. Mostly off-camber and steep slopes along with rocks, more rocks, and then a few more. The highlights are the Eye of the Needle and the Alpine Downhill.
Broad Canyon
The official trail leads through a sandy, boulder-strewn arroyo bottom, though there are many obstacles along the way to put your vehicle and skills to the test. The Snake Pit is the toughy of the bunch, with large boulders, tight squeezes, and wall climbs.
Off Broadway
A sandy arroyo with boulders and ledges that change with every rainfall, the rocks here are famous for sticking it to every 4x4 that passes.
Sandia Gulch
The latest addition to the trail system, the Gulch is a narrow trail with an off-camber feel. It has small waterfalls, enormous boulders, and a lot of ledges, and twisty climbs.
The trails
Extreme
Tabasco Twister
This trail leads up one of he Chile Canyons and offers multiple large boulders and steep waterfalls, most of which will have you pulling a winch cable. Like all of the extreme trails, lockers, winch, and a minimum of 33-inch tires are required.
Rocotillo Rapids
Another Chile Canyon run up a grueling arroyo, crossing over boulders, rock ledges, and near-impossible waterfalls. Along with many off-camber traverse sections over sand and sandstone, this is probably the toughest trail in the area.
Habeero Falls
After an easy start, this trail climbs through the Chile Canyons and culminates into seven consecutive waterfalls. It also offers spectacular views of the historic Mesilla Valley and surrounding areas.
Patzcuaro's Revenge
The name says it all. This one's out to get you. The first waterfall will deter most, and the large boulders, ledges, and remaining waterfalls will get the rest. This trail was used as the site for the 1998 BFG Rock Crawling Championships. It's a biggun'.
Event Sponsors
ARB
Hy-Tech Automotive & 4x4
Jack Key Jeep and Chrysler
Klune-V
Los Amigos Spray-On Liners
M.O.R.E.
Off Again Off-Road
Premier Power Welder
Randy's Ring & Pinion
Superlift
Tiny Bits of Silver
Trailside
Tuffy Security Products
For More Information
If you'd like to learn more about next year's Chile Challenge, call (505) 522-0803 or visit the Web site at www.zianet.com/lcfwdc. To contact the Southwest Four Wheel Drive Association, go to www.swfwda.com.