Cabezon Snake

Rio Rancho

Distance: 3.25 miles
Surface: Asphalt
Elevation Gain: 174 feet

There are many things that are nice about running the Snake. In most cases anything that winds is more interesting than a straight line. In one direction the route is almost totally uphill, providing a continuous challenge. If it gets too easy, run faster. The ambiance is peaceful.

“I was not expecting this, but I felt my body was moving, moving, moving so I went for it. This is amazing for me.” On breaking Paula Radcliffe’s world marathon record set in 2003.

– Brigid Kosgei

Cross that bridge when your come to it

Running north from the parking lot this bridge is clearly visible. Cross the bridge to the east side of the arroyo and follow the trail south. This detour adds the distance needed to bring the total over 5K.

Turnaround Point #1

After crossing the bridge and taking the tail south along the east side of the arroyo you will see a sidewalk on the right that loops around a tree. Take it. Where it loops back to the trail there is a sundial. Run back to the bridge, cross it and follow the trail north on the west side of the arroyo.

Up and over

Over its length, the trail crosses two streets, Cabezon Blvd and 14th Street. At each crossing, the trail leaves the side of the arroyo and runs up a ramp to the intersections. There is cross traffic to deal with. Also, when 14th street crosses over the arroyo to the west side, its name changes to Chianti Drive.

Turnaround Point #2

The trail running north eventually turns west. There is a gate blocking the trail just shy of 27th Street. Go around it untill you touch the roadway. This is the 2ed turnaround point. It is almost all downhill from here back to the parking lot where the route begins and ends.

The intersection of the trail and 14th Street

This crossing is similar to the one with Cabezon Blvd. In the background is Chicanti Park. Across the intersection the trail will follow a ramp down and continue along the side of the arroyo.

Typical section of the Cabezon Snake Route

This is area is typical of the Cabezon Sanke Route. The landscaping provides a relaxed ambiance to run in.

Tired of running? Stop and have a picnic

If you need a respite you can’t do better than this covered picnic table.

Route Description

The parking lot for this route is located at the end of “A Park Above” Court, which is just off Westside Blvd in the vicinity of Presbyterian’s Rust Medical Center. A Park Above is a park for children and their parents. The public lot is across the street from the park. It is easy to locate the Linear Park Trail which follows the arroyo on both sides.
The run begins on the west side of the arroyo. Not far from the start is a bridge which crosses the arroyo. Take it. Once over the bridge turn south. It won’t be long before you come to fork. On the right will be a sidewalk that goes around a tree. Take it. This is a very short segment that returns to the trail. You will see a sundial, actually you will run over it. Return to the bridge, cross over to the west side of the arroyo and rejoin the trial. Run north.
You will see in the distance an overpass. This will be where Cabezon Blvd crosses over the arroyo. The trail runs up a ramp to the intersection. Cross the intersection and on the other side the trail will return and follow the arroyo north.
The next segment runs between Cabezon Blvd and 14th Street. The trail runs up a ramp to the intersection with 14th Street. This is the point that 14th Street changes its name to Chianti Drive once the road crosses over to the east side of the arroyo.
The segment from 14th Street going north will eventually turn to west until it arrives at a gate. This is the end of the trail on the west side of the arroyo. Go around the gate until you reach 27th Street. This is the second turnaround point.
It is downhill to the parking lot. “What goes up, must come down.”