Continental Divide Trail Logistics

The Carson Continental Divide Epic may be the longest, most spectacular section of ride-able single track on the entire Continental Divide Trail.

Shuttle Taos provides the logistics support you need to make your multi-day epic a breeze. Contact us today, and we’ll work with you to make sure you get the support you need to comfortably tackle this truly epic ride.

Choose Your Adventure

Slack-Packer Special

All of the glory, less of the pain.

How it works:

You load our trailer up with your tents, chairs, equipment, and cold beer.
We drive the trailer to one of the 3 campgrounds strategically placed 20-25 miles along the Carson Continental Divide Epic.
You arrive at that camp after a glorious day of riding and collect your gear out of the trailer, ready to live LARGE.
The next morning, you pack everything back in the trailer and head down the trail without a care in the world — and with very little weight on your bike.

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Self-Supported Sufferfest

Maximum effort, maximum reward.

We get it… You love the freedom of having everything on your bike. You’ve considered each ounce, cut the handles off your toothbrush, and got your custom-made frame bag organized after agonizing over whether to pack one spare tube or two.

You’re ready to take over the world, and we’re here to help.

We can run you a shuttle in whatever configuration you need to make your Continental Divide Trail adventure a success.

We can even bring you a spare tube if you need it.

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About The Carson Continental Divide Epic

We recommend tackling the Carson Continental Divide Epic from north to south, but honestly, either way, it is a beautiful thing. In this direction, there are 3,000 more feet of descending than climbing, but it’s all fairly evenly distributed — except for the “10 Miles of Smiles Climb” out of Vallecito.

Re-routed over the last 10 years by a mountain biker, the Carson Continental Divide Epic is 90% trail, 10% forest road, 0.01% pavement, and 110% fun. The climbs are approachable, the descends enjoyable, and the scenery takes in the best of northern New Mexico.

Above Chama on the Cotinental Divide Trail section called the Carson Continental Divide Epic.

Section 1: Cumbres Pass to Lagunitas Lakes

24.5 mi | 2750 ft climbing | 2500 ft descending

Starting from Cumbres Pass, the trail heads south of the highway switch-backing through the trees up to a ridgeline high above the Chama valley. The Colorado-New Mexico border is three miles in. As the trail cuts through the forest, it winds around some interesting rock outcroppings great for elk-spotting before hitting a wide-open section of river valleys and rolling grassy hills. The final ridge above Cruces Basin Wilderness is epic and also terrifying in a lightning storm. It also marks the start of the downhill roll into Lagunitas Lakes Campground.

Camping: Lagunitas Lakes Campground is primitive, but popular among fishermen. Sites on the ridgeline have more privacy, but more difficult access to the lakes.

A stretch of alpine single track on the Cotinental Divide Trail section called the Carson Continental Divide Epic.

Section 2: Lagunitas Lakes to Hopewell Lake

19.5 mi | 1900 ft climbing | 2300 ft descending

The highlight of this ride is the ridgeline above San Antonio Creek, roughly 6 miles south of Lagunitas. The cliff-edge trail provides a sublime view into the valley below — the valley you are about to descend into, before climbing back out of on one of the more challenging ascents. The rolling meadows as you approach Jawbone Mountain have a distinctive wild-west feel. Look for flocks of turkeys in the tree lines.

Camping: Hopewell Lake Campground has running water and vault toilets. It’s a short ride up the trail from Hopewell Lake but is situated on the edge of a lovely meadow.

Lone orange aspen south of Hopewell Lake on the Carson Continental Divide Epic.

Section 3: Hopewell Lake to Canjilon Lakes

23.5 mi | 3000 ft climbing

This section has some of the more challenging segments of riding on the trip. Between the long technical descent to Vallecito Creek, and the even longer 10-mile climb back out, you’ll be worked. Hard. But the mountain top meadows and cool mixed conifer forests will quickly help you to forget your exhaustion.

Camping: Canjilon Lakes Campground is a developed campground with multiple spots available. Can get busy on the weekends.

Sage, and Pinyon Juniper on the south end of the Carson Continental Divide Epic.

Section 4: Canjilon Lakes to US 84 (Echo Amphitheater)

26+ mi | 2000 ft climbing | 3500 ft descending

This is it… the final leg of your epic journey. From a high of 10,100ft to an ending low of 7,000ft, this segment takes you from endless alpine meadows, through mixed-conifer forests and ponderosa parklands to the pinyon-juniper deserts and arroyos. The trail ends unceremoniously at the highway, but a few more mile on pavement takes you to Echo Amphitheater or Ghost Ranch.

Camping: Echo Amphitheater has a developed campground, while Ghost Ranch (if available) has nicer amenities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to ride/hike the Carson Continental Divide Epic?

Although we run shuttles from snow-melt to snow-fall, the best time of year to ride this trail is hands-down the end of September through the beginning of October while the aspen leaves are popping.

What type of bike do I need for the Carson Continental Divide Epic?

This is a cross-country single-track trail interspersed with a few double-track roads. We recommend a cross-country bike or trail bike but some folks are just as comfortable on gravel/touring bikes. While there are only a few technical rock-garden sections, it is a long, often rough trail, so you’ll be happier with some suspension.

How long is the Carson Continental Divide Epic?

As long as you want! But the full push is ~95 miles all told, with some great options for side trips.

What if we can’t finish it?

We’re here for you. There are multiple places you can bail out if you have a mechanical, or just get tired of riding. (There will be an additional fee for unscheduled rescues.)

What is the best section of the Carson Continental Divide Epic?

We don’t like to play favorites, but if forced to, we’d pick the section between Lagunitas Lakes and Hopewell Lake. It is only slightly more awesome than Cumbres Pass to Lagunitas,

Where do you pick up?

Wherever you need. Let’s talk.

Can we pack our own gear and just use you for a shuttle?

Absolutely! We understand and wholly embrace that some folks just love to do things the hard way. We’re some of those folks. Whether you’re backpacking, bike-packing, or tackling the whole thing in one day, we’ve got your transportation and logistics dialed.

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Booking Policies

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation refunds will be minus a 10% booking service fee.
No refunds are given for cancellations within 2 weeks of the trip start date.
No shows … c’mon, give us a heads up so we can be helping others out with their epic adventure!