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Nat'l Public Lands Day - Gordy's - Moderate/Hard

Sat Sep 26, 2026 8:00AM    

 Participant Responsibility Notice

New Mexico 4-Wheelers guests and members will be meeting for a group activity as indicated below. Drivers are responsible for the safe operation of their own vehicles and should evaluate obstacles based on their own comfort and experience level and vehicle capability.

This is a volunteer recreational activity. Participants are responsible for their own safety, vehicle operation, and compliance with land-use rules. 


Image, National Public Lands Day

In honor of Nat'l Public Lands Day, let's go play!

Click the above link to go to the Nat'l Environmental Education Foundation's website to learn more about NPLD.

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Chile Challenge will be a few weeks out, so if you need to do another shakedown run for your rig, here's your chance!

 

We ran this rock crawling trio a couple of times during Winter 2025-2026 and it's a great little set. Summer rains will determine what these trails look like in the fall, and what adventures await us.

 

The gatekeeper on Hidden Valley will get us started for the day. An optional waterfall above the gatekeeper can be played on if drivers choose. Be warned, it's a challenge. We've got some rigs that can make it, and others who put tires on it to have some fun, then back off and go around.

 

Bad Hair Day is a short boulder garden with one sizeable ledge to climb. There are several lines available and it is not uncommon to winch at least one rig up that ledge.

 

Yeehaw is a fairly vertical boulder garden with a Small Gnarly thing not far into it and a Big Gnarly thing halfway up. The sign says L6 but some of us aren't so sure about that rating. The Jeeps I've seen conquer Yeehaw are borderline buggy-built. 

 

In the past, we've sent rigs up both Yeehaw and around through Bad Hair Day at the same time. The entrances and exits for both trails are close neighbors, allowing for multiple options depending on participant preference. 

 

Doug's Dilemma is a fun L7! Doug's has a flat boulder garden entrance, two challenging obstacles going uphill, and a final uphill boulder garden. Then you've got the downhill side. It's fairly off-camber in several spots followed by drops down significant ledges that have claimed bumper damage in the past. Throw in some more boulder garden work and you're good to go.

 

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Trail plan for the day includes Levels 6 & 7 trails:

Hidden Valley (L6)    https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/new-mexico/trails/3226-hidden-valley-loop

Bad Hair Day (L6) or Yeehaw (L6)     https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/new-mexico/trails/3252-bad-hair-day

Doug's Dilemma (L7)     https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/new-mexico/trails/3289-dougs-dilemma

 

Rig Requirements:

Tires - 35's or larger

Dual lockers - front & rear

Full skid plates & sliders strongly recommended

Winch & recovery points, front & rear; have your winch controller, soft shackles and D-rings handy

Pinstripping guaranteed

Body damage possible - trails include narrow squeezes between large boulders, boulder gardens to crawl through, ledges to climb or descend, and off-camber stretches. 

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We will plan to break for lunch at the entrance to Doug's.

Bring chairs and the usual lunch gear.

The weather will still be warm, so bring plenty of water.

No children or dogs.

We will meet around back of the truck stop and air down there before heading out. Trailers can meet us at the kiosk; just let me know ahead of time which spot you'll meet us at.

As always, refer to the NM4W 4x4 Run Preparation Checklist for additional trail prep suggestions.

 

Happy Trails!

Mary Turpin

NM4W Trip Chair