This is the official route of the Santa Fe Century Gravelón event. It traverses the ponderosa/ piñon-juniper woodland of the Santa Fe National Forest on Rowe Mesa, which has seen human activity for over 10,000 years. Historically, the Spanish administered the area for grazing and woodcutting. The double-track riding hovers around an elevation of 7,000 feet. Expect the terrain to shift among expansive topped areas, rugged canyons, steep forested slopes, and open grasslands. Rowe Mesa supports a diverse wildlife population, including mule deer, elk, black bears, coyotes, and various bird species. Keep an eye out for the dark-blue piñon Jay. RIDE NOTE: In dry times, the Gravelón is awesome and worth the trip. This area is remote and requires proper planning. Seasonal wet conditions do exist, so we have a “wet” option. Road conditions can deteriorate. Choose the Wet Conditions course to avoid the thick mud during the spring melt and after heavy rains.