The Spirit of Adventure
The Pajarito Plateau and Eastern Jemez Mountains forge a relentless proving ground for outdoor athletes seeking high-adrenaline challenges. This landscape is a fortress of vertical terrain, defined by massive, sheer-walled mesas of abrasive volcanic tuff that demand technical mastery from the most seasoned rock climbers.
Hundreds of miles of singletrack slash through deep canyons and scale high-altitude ridges, offering mountain bikers punishing climbs and hair-raising descents over jagged, unstable stone. Endurance athletes are pushed to their breaking point by the crushing elevation, battling the thin mountain air on grueling trails that connect canyon bottoms to mountain peaks.
PTS Adventure Track events and activities are the high-energy heartbeat of the Series. It is designed for those who view the rugged mesas and deep canyons of the Pajarito Plateau as the ultimate natural gymnasium. While other tracks focus on the "what" and "why" of the landscape, the Adventure Track is defined by the "how"—specifically, how we challenge ourselves against the vertical gain, technical terrain, and thin air of the Plateau.
Example Events & Activities
The Adventure Track brings together the most physically demanding and skill-intensive activities on the plateau:
- Trail Running Races: Landmark events such as the Jemez Mountain Trail Runs (offering 15-mile, 50K, and 50-mile distances) and the Pajarito Mountain Run. These events test lung capacity and mental grit on steep, technical singletrack.
- Mountain Biking: From the Tuff Riders’ weekly high-intensity group rides to the lift-accessed downhill trails at Pajarito Mountain Ski Area. This also includes youth-focused events like the NICA "Pedal Pajarito" race.
- Technical Climbing: Organized top-roping sessions and clinics led by the Los Alamos Mountaineers, focusing on the unique basalt and tuff cliffs of the region.
- Multi-Sport Challenges: The Los Alamos Triathlon, one of the oldest in the country, which utilizes local paved and dirt paths to challenge athletes in a high-altitude "Sprint" format.
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Winter Sports: High-energy human-powered winter activities, including backcountry skiing and competitive Nordic racing, hosted by the South West Nordic Ski Club.
Current PTS Calendar "Adventure" Events and Activities (check calendar for details and links)
Scanning the Pajarito Trails Series Calendar for upcoming Adventure events...
