I've got a digital camera, so I've been  documenting a lot of what I have seen through the years, at this site. If you want particulars about El Paso running and walking, go to my main sites listed at the left. 

Enjoy!, Don

Want to know about a long, isolated, local running/cycling route on the Far East El Paso side? It starts at the Jobe gravel quarry, and ends up at the Jobe rock quarry in the Hueco Mountains? Try the Jobe route that was built about a few years ago. The road was built to transport rock between Jobe's quarries. Later on they added a water line to feed Mountain View's water supply. If you run the complete distance, its about 13 miles one way depending on where you start from. It's a private asphalt road (no autos), where there's no traffic (4) on weekends. On weekdays you share the road with Jobe heavy equipment (7). I've run 18 miles round trip on the route, but have only biked the complete 25+ miles (round trip) to the rock quarry.

The route starts at the local Jobe gravel quarry (2) near the far east end of Montwood St. It ends at their rock quarry about 13 miles out, near Mountain View's water tanks. We are talking about two distinct quarries, one gravel and the other rock, don't confuse the two. What makes the route great, is on weekends there is absolutely no traffic (4). Take your spouse/partner with you, and he/she can cycle with you while your running.

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I start the route from my house, but you can park your car at Montwood High or Wal-Mart Super Center. No matter where you park, run or cycle east on Montwood to the very end of the street. It's blocked at the end of Montwood, so forget your car. Take the dirt road (1) south until you see the Jobe gravel quarry (2). At the corner, turn east and continue for about one mile where you will see a gate (3) that may or may not be closed. Pass the gate and stay on this road all the way to the Jobe rock quarry. At about mile nine you will cross an asphalt road that runs from Horizon City to Mountain View (a great cycling route). 

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Past the above mentioned gate (3), the road is asphalt and posted (5). I have run and biked this area for years and Jobe road since it was built, with no problems. As I said, the road is posted, but I've never been stopped or questioned. Just be careful when the Jobe heavy equipment (6) passes by, especially during the week. When I've run/biked this road in the past, there was no traffic on Sundays. It's just you and the road! Since I took these pictures, Jobe has paved the road (great for bikes).

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There are several alternate (8) side paths along the way. Unless your familiar with the area, I recommend staying on the Jobe road. Taking the road in picture (9) is a very scenic route. Take it for about 1/4 mile, then take the road to the right. It goes on for several miles and gradually winds over toward Horizon City. It's hardly traveled and the terrain is very pristine.

At about mile nine, the Jobe road intersects the asphalt road that runs from Horizon City to Mountain View. You have to pass through 2 metal gates (10) that may or may not be closed. Continuing on to the quarry, you will cross the new Longhorn pipeline (11). Then you will cross over another gas line (12) about a mile short of the quarry summit. Pictures (14), (15) and (16) show mile 13 of the route. Past the gate is a hard hat area, so don't go any further.

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Always maintain your sence of direction when using alternates, or you will get disoriented. Be sure to also pack water with you. It's very isolated out there, but don't be too concerned. If you continue in a straight line, you'll eventually run into Montana Rd, Horizon/Mountain View Rd, Zaragosa Rd., or Horizon City. I always keep either the Hueco or Franklin Mts. in sight for a reference. I've been way out NE of Horizon City, and belive me, it gets freaky when you get into some of the low lying areas out there. You can't see any of the mountains, so maintain you sence of direction. If you stay on the main road, there's no problems at all, it's well maintained and marked. If you in fact do use an alternate, use caution.