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Horsethief Mesa

Mountain bike trail conditions · Santa Fe & Taos, NM 36.559° N  105.688° W   7,107 FT Verified

DUSTY: Rideable, very dry

Expect dust. Rain returns in ~1 day.

Recent rain
No measurable rain in the past week
Next rain
~1d
Today
86°Fcloudy

Updated Sep 13, 2026, 05:47 UTC. Modeled hourly. Verdict last changed: Sep 10. Official closures and current trail conditions take priority.

Last 10 daysoldest to newest

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Trail outlook

Is Horsethief Mesa rideable today?

Yes. The live verdict is DUSTY: rideable, but very dry and loose over hardpack. No measurable rain in the past week.

0.8″
0.1″
0.3″
FORECAST
PRIME 7d 2026-09-05: 0.00 inches of rain, representative trail outlook PRIME
PRIME 6d 2026-09-06: 0.00 inches of rain, representative trail outlook PRIME
DUSTY 5d 2026-09-07: 0.00 inches of rain, representative trail outlook DUSTY
PRIME 4d 2026-09-08: 0.00 inches of rain, representative trail outlook PRIME
PRIME 3d 2026-09-09: 0.00 inches of rain, representative trail outlook PRIME
DUSTY 2d 2026-09-10: 0.00 inches of rain, representative trail outlook DUSTY
DUSTY 1d 2026-09-11: 0.00 inches of rain, representative trail outlook DUSTY
86° DUSTY Today 2026-09-12: 0.00 inches of rain, Cloudy, representative trail outlook DUSTY
83° DUSTY SUN 2026-09-13: 0.00 inches of forecast rain, Partly cloudy, representative trail outlook DUSTY
69° DUSTY MON 2026-09-14: 0.80 inches of forecast rain, Heavy rain, representative trail outlook DUSTY
75° DUSTY TUE 2026-09-15: 0.10 inches of forecast rain, Light rain, representative trail outlook DUSTY
75° PRIME WED 2026-09-16: 0.30 inches of forecast rain, Rain, representative trail outlook PRIME
Modeled rain Forecast rain Above soft threshold (0.5″)
Over the tracked history, Horsethief Mesa has been rideable on 10 of the last 10 days (very dry and dusty on 4 of them). Each daily marker shows the expected daytime condition. Loam also considers soil, slope, tree cover, and drying time.

Soil and terrain at Horsethief Mesa

Horsethief Mesa is a mountain bike trail network in Santa Fe & Taos, NM. The soil is loam and drains well. With little tree cover, the ground gets plenty of sun and wind. The terrain averages a 1.1° slope at 7,107 ft and mainly faces WNW. Its nearly flat slopes can hold water in flat stretches.

How these factors affect drying

SoilLoam

Loam balances drainage with water retention, so it typically takes a day or two to dry after meaningful rain.

CanopyOpen 17%

Little tree cover means full sun and wind, so these trails are among the fastest to rebound after rain.

TerrainHolds water

Water tends to pool and linger here rather than running off, so the surface can stay damp well after the weather clears.

FAQ

Can you ride Horsethief Mesa right now?

The current estimate for Horsethief Mesa is DUSTY: rideable, very dry. Rideable, but very dry. Expect dust. Rain returns in ~1 day. No measurable rain in the past week.

Is Horsethief Mesa muddy right now?

Loam currently estimates dry conditions (DUSTY). No measurable rain in the past week.

What is the soil and trail surface like at Horsethief Mesa?

Horsethief Mesa sits on loam soil that drains well. Loam balances drainage with water retention, so it typically takes a day or two to dry after meaningful rain.

How long does Horsethief Mesa take to dry after rain?

Horsethief Mesa usually needs about a day or two to dry after meaningful rain. Its terrain holds water in low spots, which slows it.

Can you ride Horsethief Mesa after rain?

Drying time depends on how much rain fell and the weather that follows. Wait until the surface is firm. Check the current estimate before heading out, and turn back if your tires leave ruts.

Does Horsethief Mesa get snow in winter?

Yes. At 7,107 ft, Horsethief Mesa typically sees winter snow and freeze-thaw that can pause riding. Loam flags a FROZEN state when the ground is snow-covered or frozen, then clears it as things thaw and dry.

What's the terrain and elevation like at Horsethief Mesa?

Horsethief Mesa sits at roughly 7,107 feet, faces mostly WNW, and averages a 1.1° grade with about 17% tree cover. It is exposed to afternoon sun, and the nearly flat terrain holds puddles in the flats.

When is the best time of year to ride Horsethief Mesa?

Snow can limit riding at Horsethief Mesa in winter, at around 7,107 feet. Spring snowmelt and fall freezes can also affect conditions. Check the current conditions before planning a ride.

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Network profile

Network profile

Soil
Loamdrains well
Drainage
Holds waterdries slowly
Tree cover
17%Open
Elevation
7,107 ft
Average grade
1.1°
Predominant aspect
WNW-facing

Around Horsethief Mesa