CDT South
The CDT heads south from NM Highway 197 after a four mile drive from the Cuba. The trail follows a seldom driven dirt road for approximately 1 1⁄2 miles until – after passing sandstone cliffs – it crosses the wide Chiquilla Wash. It then becomes a narrow footpath marked by white posts and cairns (large rock piles) and travels through a wide arroyo to the top of Mesa Portales.

It is 6.2 miles round-trip from the parking area to a scenic viewpoint in a narrow sandstone saddle of Mesa Portales. There are scenic vistas along the entire route including badlands, sandstone cliffs, and mountain and mesa views from the Mesa Portales rim. Mountain bikes and dogs are allowed on this section of trail. Use caution crossing Chiquilla Wash – areas of quick sand exist when wet and the wash is prone to flash floods.

CDT North
The CDT north trailhead is four miles east of Cuba on NM Highway 126.  Turn left to the trailhead gate approximately 1/2 mile after crossing a cattleguard and passing the Santa Fe National Forest boundary sign. This trail affords spectacular views of the San Juan Basin as it ascends the Sierra Nacimiento over a series of sweeping turns and switchbacks. After reaching a high forested plateau it gradually climbs through old growth forest and alpine meadows  and eventually leads to San Gregorio Lake in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness.  The Wilderness provides a network of trails worthy of much further exploration. Vegetation along the upper trail is lush and amazingly diverse. Wildflowers bloom in profusion from May to September.