Timeline of Trail Building Activity
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New Illegal Trail documented in the Sombrillo ACEC
March 6, 2023
A new illegal trail was documented in the Sombrillo ACEC that connects BLM trail segments 73 and segments 77. This new trail was constructed in early 2023. It is the trail shown on the left in the photo.
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BLM Taos Office installs Sombrillo ACEC signs
February 26, 2023
The Bureau of land management (BLM) Taos Field Office installed Sombrillo Area of Critical Environmental Concern signs at the trailhead of Santa Fe County Road 113 and on the NM 503 trailhead. We thank the Taos BLM Office for this important step in recognizing the Sombrillo ACEC and hope increasing the awareness of the ACEC will help protect it.
Read moreNew Illegal Mountain Bike Trail documented in the Sombrillo ACEC
February 13, 2023
A new mountain bike trail was found that travels south from the north end of the Main West Loop. GPS coordinates of starting area are approximately 35.93028, -105.97459.
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Meeting with BLM in Sombrillo ACEC to assess resource damage and potential signage
February 13, 2023
BLM interns and Friends of the Nambe Badlands assess 10 miles of trails in the Sombrillo ACEC for resource damage and potential trail sign locations.
New trails, damage from motorcycles and ATVs were documented.
Read moreCommunication from Taos BLM Office Regarding Sombrillo ACEC
February 9, 2023“The BLM thanks you for your continued interest and patience, in the Sombrillo Travel Management planning process.
The BLM will be working with our partners to put up educational and control signage in the Sombrillo Travel Management area in the next few weeks.”
Read moreMeeting with BLM Taos Office regarding signs for the Sombrillo ACEC
December 19, 2022Meeting at Taos BLM Office to plan for signs to protect the Sombrillo ACEC
Read moreFriends of the Nambe Badlands Cleanup of NM 503
December 3, 2022
Friends of the Nambé Badlands litter clean up of NM 503 through the Sombrillo ACEC
July 30, 2022Friends of the Nambé Badlands Conducts Litter Cleanup of NM 503
Read moreExtended Comment Period for the Sombrillo TMA Route Inventory Ends
January 31, 2022Taos Mountain Bike Association organizes another large crowd ride in the Sombrillo ACEC
January 23, 2022
Taos Mountain Bike Association organized a second huge group ride in the Sombrillo ACEC in another apparent attempt to demonstrate usage to the BLM and influence the Travel Management Plan. Many of these riders had never ridden the area before this outing, or their similar event the weekend earlier. These large crowd mountain biking events resulted in the extensive widening of the single track trails, accelerated damage to illegal and unauthorized trails, off-trail riding, and litter (found after this big event, and presumably from riders in this big ride event).
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Taos Mountain Bike Association Hosts Huge Group Ride in the Sombrillo ACEC
January 16, 2022Over 100 cars parked at the NM 503 trailhead for coordinated mountain bike blowout in the Sombrillo ACEC. Mountain bike groups are organizing large-scale rides in the Sombrillo ACEC in an apparent attempt to demonstrate usage to the BLM and influence the Travel Management Plan. Group rides with these numbers of riders are not usual in the Nambe Badlands, and many of the riders in these recent events had never ridden the area before. These large group rides have left negative impacts on the Sombrillo ACEC. Riding in large groups this large does not really give mountain bikers a good reputation. We, the Friends of the Nambé Badlands, are trying to promote responsible mountain biking and demonstrate how mountain bikers can coexist with other trail users while also respecting the fragile landscape of the Nambé Badlands.
Read moreTaos Mountain Bike Association and Santa Fe Fat Tire Society Coordinate on Massive Group Ride in the Sombrillo ACEC and Nambe Badlands
January 10, 2022BLM extends public comment period for Sombrillo Travel Management Plan Route Inventory from Jan 1 to Jan 31, 2022
January 5, 2022The BLM Taos Field Office announced they were extending the period of public comments on the Sombrillo Travel Management Plan Route Inventory. No reason was given for extending the public comment period.
Read morePublic comment period for Sombrillo Travel Management Plan Route Inventory closed
January 1, 2022The public comment period for submitting comments and concerns on the potential trails the BLM will consider in its route inventory for environmental assessment closed on January 1, 2022, at midnight (Mountain Time).
Santa Fe New Mexican Op-Ed “Nambé Badlands deserve better care”
December 19, 2021
My View Terry Gibbs Nambé Badlands deserve better care Since 2000, Eldorado hikers have trekked Northern New Mexico, from the Ojito Wilderness to the Santa Barbara, from Plaza Blanca to Hermit’s Peak. Never have we seen trails and terrain so badly damaged as when we returned several weeks ago to the Nambé Badlands. This precious, wondrous terrain has been so damaged in only the last couple of years. https://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/my_view/namb-badlands-deserve-better-care/article_daa74b62-5e15-11ec-b88e-3fbc81c3d877.html
Read moreRio Grande North Chapter of the Sierra Club publishes call-to-action for BLM Sombrillo Travel Management Plan
December 17, 2021
“Sombrillo Travel Plan & Illegal Trails Friends of the Nambe [Badlands] and the Northern Group are collaborating to create awareness and solicit help in preserving the fragile Nambe Badlands in the Sombrillo ACEC (Area of Critical Environmental Concern) from damaging bike use. SF Fat Tire Society and other mountain bikers have carved out new illegal trails in hopes that the upcoming BLM Sombrillo Travel Management Plan will accept them without protest from the public. Members are urged to visit the Friends of the Nambe Badlands website. You can register your concerns and urge support for carefully planned trails and recreational use on these sensitive public lands.” — Conservation News from the Northern New Mexico Group, Rio Grande Chapter, Sierra Club, December 17, 2021 Northern New Mexico
Read moreFriends of Nambé Badlands leadership mountain bike ride meeting with Santa Fe Fat Tire Society leadership
December 5, 2021Friends of the Nambé Badlands President (Ed MacKerrow) and Vice-President (Dave Kraig) call a mountain bike meeting with Santa Fe Fat Tire Society President (Kyle Klain) and Board Member (Carl Gable) in the Nambé Badlands to discuss shared visions and strategy, ride trails to discuss resource impacts, illegal trails, rider education, and trail sign needs.
Read moreSanta Fe New Mexican publishes article on the Nambé Badlands
December 5, 2021
‘Loved to death’: A clash over fragile Northern New Mexico badlands By Daniel J. Chacón dchacon@sfnewmexican.com Download PDF of the article
Read moreFriends of Nambé Badlands finds BLM Closed Trail Sign Hidden Under Tree
November 28, 2021
Friends of Nambé Badlands mountain bikers find BLM Closed Trail Sign that was installed on April 13, 2012, after illegally built trails were officially closed by the BLM Taos Field Office. The sign was found hidden under a tree, a hundred yards from its initial position.
Read moreFriends of Nambé Badlands finds new illegal mountain bike trail on cultural resources in Sombrillo ACEC
November 28, 2021
New (~2020) illegal mountain bike trail found going over an archeological site in Sombrillo Area of Environmental Concern. Location and imagery sent via email to BLM Taos Field Office, Attention Chris Anderson BLM Archeologist
Read moreFriends of Nambé Badlands Board members Dave Kraig and Ed MacKerrow attend Sombrillo Travel Management Plan trail inventory
November 20, 2021
Friends of Nambé Badlands Board members Dave Kraig and Ed MacKerrow attend Sombrillo Travel Management Plan trail inventory to provide input on trails in the Sombrillo ACEC and the Nambe Badlands, Zone 5 and Zone 6 Download Sombrillo Travel Management Area North (10.7 MB) PDF Download Sombrillo Travel Management Area South (10 MB) PDF Download Sombrillo Travel Management Plan Public Comment Form
Read moreFriends of the Nambé Badlands Board of Directors Craig Allen, Fernando Garzon, Linda Fluk attend BLM Sombrillo Travel Management Plan trail inventory meeting in Espanola
November 13, 2021
Friends of the Nambé Badlands Board members Linda Fluk, Fernando Garzon, and Craig Allen attend BLM Trail Inventory meeting in Espanola for input for the Sombrillo Travel Management Plan Download Sombrillo Travel Management Area North (10.7 MB) PDF Download Sombrillo Travel Management Area South (10 MB) PDF Download Sombrillo Travel Management Plan Public Comment Form
Read moreFriends of Nambé Badlands Does Litter Cleanup of NM 503
November 6, 202111 volunteers: Dave Kraig, Karen Kraig, Melinda Baker, Ed MacKerrow, Linda Fluk, Fernando Garzon, Barbara Swanson, Dave Dougrel, Sharon Dougrel, Craig Allen, Jeanne Fair 21 large garbage bags of trash and recycling picked up 2 miles of road cleaned
Read moreBLM Announcement of Public Input for Trail Mapping in Nambé Badlands
October 29, 2021Taos, NM–The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Taos Field Office invites the public to participate in the upcoming Sombrillo Nambe Badlands Travel Management Plan mapping sessions. The engagement sessions allow the public to submit input on proposed hiking and bicycle routes for eventual trail designations. The route-mapping sessions are being conducted to ensure that the agency has heard and considered all public comments and proposals from previous and new audiences since 2018 route inventories. 20211029_Press Release – Sombrillo TMP
Read moreTrailforks.com marks Razor’s Edge as “Mountain Biking Not Recommended or Allowed”. SFFTS removes sanction of trail
October 22, 2021Trailforks.com adds “Mountain Biking not recommended or allowed” on Razor’s Edge Trail. Santa Fe Fat Tire Society (SFFTS) removes sanction of trail
Read moreTrailforks.com removes Santa Fe Fat Tire Society and IMBA sanction/sponsor of illegal trail “Return to Shortcut”
September 8, 2021Trailforks.com website removes Santa Fe Fat Tire Society (SFFTS) and International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) sanction of the illegal trail “Return to Shortcut”. PDF of earlier posting showing SFFTS and IMBA sponsoring/sanctioning this illegal trail
Read moreTrailforks.com removes SFFTS sanction label of Richards Avenue illegal trail
September 8, 2021The sanctioning of this illegal by SFFTS is removed from the Trailforks.com website, text “This trail is unsanctioned” is added, but the illegal trail remains on Trailforks.com website and open to public. Download PDF of this webpage: Richards Ave Mountain Biking Trail – Santa Fe, New Mexico
Read moreJudy Culver BLM Taos Field Office tours Nambé Badlands
July 14, 2021Judy Culver, BLM Taos Field Office examines some of the new and illegal trails in the Nambé Badlands.
Santa Fe County installs No Parking on the sides of CR 113 and proper trailhead parking signs
May 24, 2021
Santa Fe County installs No Parking signs on the sides of Country Road 113 and designates the official trailhead parking lot.
Read moreFriends of the Nambé Badlands Shares 2011 Trail Inventory with BLM
April 28, 2021
Friends of the Nambe Badlands share GIS data on trails existing before 2011 with the BLM Taos Field Office.
Read moreMeeting with Nambé residents and Tami Torres BLM Taos Field Office
October 5, 2020A detailed discussion of Santa Fe County residents expressing concerns about illegal trail building continuing in the Sombrillo Area of Environmental Concern
Read moreSombrillo Travel Management Area, Draft Travel Management Plan released
May 20, 2020
Sombrillo Travel Management Area, Draft Travel Management Plan DOI-BLM-NM-F020-2019-007-EA released.
Read moreNew Bike Trails Proposed in Draft Travel Management Plan
May 12, 2020
New bike trails proposed in Zone 5 of the Sombrillo TMA in the Draft Travel Recreation Plan
Read moreSanta Fe Fat Tire Society Nambe Badlands campout “effort to bed-in trails and increase awareness…maybe stir up some great ideas for new trails”
November 2, 2019Come on out to the Badlands for two days of riding or hiking. Rides will begin at the Santa Cruz Lake Overlook at 12 noon on Saturday, BBQ will be at 5 pm and rides all day Sunday. We have access to the campground that is otherwise closed to the public. In an effort to bed-in trails and increase awareness, we want to have a fun weekend for riders to explore the Nambe Badlands area–maybe stir up some great ideas for new trails. https://www.trailforks.com/region/nambe-badlands-30761/ See less
Read moreSanta Fe Tire Society schedules another flagging event in Sombrillo Area of Critical Environmental Concern
July 6, 2019“If you missed the first flagging of a trail at Nambe Badlands, we will continue on Saturday, July 6, 2019.” “We will continue to select the route for a new trail in the Nambe Badlands BLM area. The idea is to develop a more comprehensive trail system that offers remote, desert landscape a la Fruita style….please come out and put your fingerprint on the map!”
Read moreSanta Fe Fat Tire Society announces they were given approval to flag new trails in the Nambé Badlands
June 8, 2019“Big News… thanks to the efforts of Pat xxx (Santa Fe Fat Tire Society) we have the go ahead to start flagging a new trail in the Nambe Badlands” https://www.facebook.com/events/605977183228199/?ref=newsfeed
Read moreSombrillo Travel Management Plan/ Environmental Assessment Postcard Notice
March 6, 2019
Sombrillo Travel Management Plan / Environmental Assessment Postcard Notice to gather public comments
Read moreBLM Release Alternative A for Sombrillo Travel Management Area
March 4, 2019
BLM Taos Field Office releases Alternative A for Draft Travel Management Plan that proposes “new” trails, which were actually already constructed by SFFTS and other rogue trail builders.
Read moreSanta Fe Fat Tire Society Announces New Trails Being Developed near Nambé
April 24, 2018
“New Trails Being Developed in Nambe” Nambe Badlands From SFFTS website April 24, 2018. Captured December 2, 2021. 20180424_Nambe Badlands – Santa Fe Fat Tire Society
Read moreSanta Fe Fat Tire Society trail work in Nambe Badlands
April 14, 2018Santa Fe Fat Tire Society installing ride over gates and trail work in Nambe Badlands
Read moreSanta Fe Fat Tire Society installing ride-over gates in Nambe Badlands
April 10, 2018Santa Fe Fat Tire Society installing new ride-over gates in Nambe Badlands
Read moreBLM public comment meeting in Chimayó
February 22, 2018Feb. 22 from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at La Arboleda Community Center, located at 705 NM-76, Chimayo, New Mexico.
Read moreBLM Public Meeting in Pojoaque
February 21, 2018Feb. 21 from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Pojoaque Middle School
Read moreBLM Announcement to Hold Route Inventory Meetings and Solicit Public Comments for Palacio and Sombrillo TMA
February 12, 2018BLM to hold route inventory meetings and solicit public comments for Palacio and Sombrillo Travel Management Area
Read moreSanta Fe Fat Tire Society admits working/planning with BLM on new trails in Nambé
November 11, 2016“Pat has led the members working with the [SFFTS] members with the BLM on new trail proposals in the Nambe area”
Read moreSanta Fe Fat Tire Society discussing closed trail areas?
January 25, 2016“Are the Nambe trails closed due to environmental concerns?”
Read moreMember of the Tuff Riders mountain bike club expresses concerns to Santa Fe Fat Tire Society bike club
March 21, 2013Member of Tuff Riders bike club (Los Alamos) expressing concerns to Santa Fe Fat Tire Society that trail building in Sombrillo ACEC is giving mountain bikers a bad reputation.
Read moreRecord of Decision: Taos Resource Management Plan
May 24, 2012
Record of Decision:Â Taos Resource Management Plan
Read moreTaos Resource Management Plan Approved
May 16, 2012
May 16, 2012 Taos Resource Management Plan Approved Resource Management Plan is a broad area document. Travel Management Plans are specific.
Read moreBLM Plans for Trail Closures on April 13,2012 with Volunteers
April 4, 2012BLM Taos Field Office plans for a volunteer workday to close illegally constructed trails in the Sombrillo Area of Environmental Concern
Read moreBLM Tami Torres announces closures of unauthorized trails in Sombrillo ACEC
March 23, 2012
From: Torres, Tami M @blm.gov> Date: Fri, Mar 23, 2012 at 2:01 PM Subject: Nambe Badlands Trail Hi all- Here is a re-cap and update of items BLM has agreed to move forward with in regards to the unauthorized trail building in association with an ongoing project plan. I also hope to address your questions with this memo and provide alternate dates for volunteers to work with BLM on unauthorized trail closures and signing. Please download the full email from BLM using this link.  Download 20120323_TamiTorres_Nambe Badlands Trail PDF
Read moreConcern Expressed to Santa Fe Fat Tire Society listserve
March 13, 2012Concern expressed to SFFTS to stay on existing trails, BLM cc-ed
Read moreAction Items from March 12, 2012 Meeting with BLM, Santa Fe Tire Society, and long-term trail users
March 12, 2012Action items agreed upon at March 12, 2012 meeting with BLM, SFFTS, and trail users
Read moreMeeting with BLM, Nambe Active Preservation Society, and Santa Fe Fat Tire Society
March 12, 2012Meeting BLM, Nambe Active Preservation Society, the general public, and Santa Fe Fat Tire Society, held in Los Alamos
Read moreSanta Fe Fat Tire Society – don’t ride new trails put in Nambe Badlands, don’t park at CR 113 Trailhead
March 12, 2012“Due to some confusion between us and the BLM, there was a BLM/citizen meeting today, regarding Nambe we ask: please do not ride the new road reroute trails, they will be closed/hidden soon (perhaps temporary, perhaps not) … read more….
Read moreLetter sent to BLM Taos Field Office: Construction of New Trails Without NEPA Assessments and Approval –> NO REPLY, NO RESPONSE
March 8, 2012
E-mail and hardcopy letter sent to BLM Taos Field Office:Â Subject = Nambe-Area Construction of New Trails without National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Assessments and Approval.
Read moreBLM response to Nambe Geologist’s concerns about Santa Fe Fat Tire Society trail building in Sombrillo Area of Critical of Environmental Concern
March 1, 2012BLM Response to Linda Fluk email : “Could I call you on the phone so I can explain the planning process for BLM? We did not authorized trail maintenance or construction of trails in this area. They have already been told to stop.” 20120301_TamiTorresUnauthorized Trail Building _Redacted
Read moreNambe geologist expresses concerns to BLM Taos Field Office about illegal trail building on Sombrillo Area of Critical Environmental Concern
March 1, 2012Email from geologist from Nambe expressed concerns to BLM Taos Field Office about damage to Sombrillo Area of Critical Environmental Concern from Santa Fe Fat Tire Society trail construction
Read moreEmail to Tami Torres BLM notifying her of trail building with photos. NO RESPONSE FROM BLM
February 29, 2012
BLM sent information and photos of the new trail building occurring in the Sombrillo ACEC. NO RESPONSE
Read moreSix Members of the Santa Fe Fat Tire Society admission of having put in new trails in Sombrillo ACEC
February 27, 2012- “6 of us showed up and we put in 0.4 miles of swoopy singletrack”
- “That means almost a mile of new trail in the last month”
- “It is powdery, so once we get some decent rain we’ll need a bunch of riders to come out and have a compacting party by riding the damp trails”
- ‘We did a nice 9 mile ride after trail work since there are other new trails out there too adding to the old trails.”
- “We have plans for lots of new trails and hope we can put in some optional advanced lines after the BLM sees that we do a nice job”
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New trail (illegal) construction in the Sombrillo ACEC
February 26, 2012
“Six of us spent the morning cutting in a new section of trail at the Nambe Badlands. Afterwards, Chris, Vint and I enjoyed the perfect weather while on a great ride.” Bob Ward, President of the SFFTS. Posted 2/26/2012 https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3085548632032.137270.1663391892&type=1
Read moreSanta Fe Fat Tire Society President (Bob Ward) posts photos of building trails in Nambe Badlands on Facebook
February 18, 2012
BLM Scouting New Trails with Santa Fe Fat Tire Society
February 3, 2012
“We joined Mark from the BLM yesterday to scout out some new sections of trail for the Nambe Badlands”
“Weather permitting we hope to start construction within a few weeks”
Read moreBLM Proposed Taos Resource Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement, Vol 2
November 2, 2011
Volume II Appendices and Maps, November 2011, Proposed Taos Resource Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement
Read moreProposed Taos Resource Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement BLM/NM/PL-12-01-1610
November 1, 2011
November 1, 2011 Proposed Taos Resource Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement, Volume 1, Nov 2011 released/published by BLM
Read more680 acres added to ACEC due to paleontology resources
October 20, 2011In light of new information regarding the occurrence of important paleontological resources, the 680-acre block of public lands near La Puebla in the El Palacio planning unit, proposed as a special recreation management area, would be added to the Sombrillo ACEC. Though the proposed management of this area would not substantially change with its inclusion into the ACEC, it is appropriate that the Proposed RMP recognize its significant paleontological values.
Read moreSanta Fe Fat Tire Society looking for Paleontologist for Nambe Trail expansions
July 31, 2011Santa Fe Fat Tire Society looking for a paleontologist for Nambe Badlands
Read moreNambe community concerns about trail building
February 1, 2011Nambe community members discussing concern for threats to the Sombrillo ACEC
Read moreAnnouncement of BLM and Santa Fe Bike Clubs Building New Trails in Nambé
January 29, 2011BLM working with Santa Fe bike clubs to expand trails in Sombrillo ACEC
Read moreSanta Fe Fat Tire Society pursuing working with Mark Sundin Taos BLM to put in new trails in Nambé Badlands
September 28, 2010“Update on yesterday’s hike with the BLM at the Nambe Badlands. There is also an outside chance that Mark from BLM will put in an appearance. He is a mountain biker himself and is excited about prospects for working with us toward building new trails and maintaining existing ones.” Santa Fe Fat Tire Society meeting minutes: 20100928__BLM_SFFTS meeting tonight _ Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
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