Sandia Mountains – New Mexico Meanders (2024)

Overview:

A “lasso style” loop, this trail takes you up through shaded canyonlands to a junction where you can go clockwise up the South Crest Trail or counterclockwise up the CCC Trail. Either route rises to South Sandia Peak and a vast panorama west across central New Mexico Need to get in shape? Punch your ticket for the CCC. Out for a stroll? The South Crest Trail exists for you. Lace up those boots and go!

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Tags Albuquerque, hiking, hiking in new mexico, New Mexico, Sandia Mountains, Southwest

Categories New Mexico, Sandia Mountains

Overview:

This is a fun and strenuous alternative to the much-traveled Embudito Trail. The Embudito Trail lies near the bottom of Embudito Canyon and its views are limited by canyon walls. The Oso Ridge Trail is placed high on the Canyon’s northern rim and has terrific views down to the Albuquerque Basin, west toMount Taylor and north to the cliffs adorning the Northern Sandias. The Embudito Trail makes long switchbacks across the Sandia’s imposing high face, producing a relatively gentle ascent. The Oso Ridge Trail faces squarely into the fall line, producing a steep ascent. On either trail you will get to South Sandia summit. From the summit this route descends along the Embudito Trail to Oso Pass and then departs onto the Whitewash trailand finishes with a brief road walk back to the trailhead. It is a terrific workout.

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Tags Albuquerque, hiking, New Mexico, Northern New Mexico, Sandia Mountains, Southwest

Categories New Mexico, Sandia Mountains

Overview:

TheDomingo Baca Canyon Trail,theLa Luz Trail andthe CrestSpur Trail form the uphill sectionof a loop that begins inAlbuquerque and leaps tothe highest point in the Sandia Mountains. The Crest Trail andthe Pino Canyon Trail form the downhill portion of theloop from the summit back to Albuquerque. Thisis a seriously strenuous scramble. Readerswho have just finished hikingthe Pacific Crest Trail will find it mildlydiverting. Ordinary mortals, however, must use caution. The routeup Domingo Baca isa steep and protracted scramble –retreatdue to bad weather or under icy conditions is not desirable. The Crest Trail can be amellow experience, butsnow canstress your navigation skills andlightning canspoil your ridge ramble. The final descent through west-facing Pino Canyon will test your water logistics, particularlyif it’s warm. The hike is time consuming and the roadinto the Elana Gallagos Open Space is gated shut (bang!) at 7:00 pm.

That said,this is a hikethrough the vertiginous dreams of a spaghetti-western director. Go ona day when you’re feeling strong, when the skyis blue,the temperatures are mild, the days havelengthened and the Crest Trail is free of snow.

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Tags Albuquerque, canyoneering, Domingo Baca Trail, New Mexico, Pino Canyon Trail, ruins, Sandia Crest Trail, Sandia Mountains, scramble, scrambling in new mexico, Southwest, trails

Categories New Mexico, Sandia Mountains

Overview

Gofrom sun-bakeddesert to wind-blasted crest and back on a track that is notable for it’s great beauty, it’s odd shape and it’s many hiking options. The first and last segmentsof this trip are out-and-back ventures. In the middle, draped across the bonyface of the Sandia Mountains, is a loop that drawsyou intogorgeous terrain. Most hikers will want togosouth into the loop (counterclockwise) sincethe northern portion of the loopis quite steep in places. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags Albuquerque, canyoneering, hiking, New Mexico, Northern New Mexico, Sandia Mountains, Southwest

Categories New Mexico, Sandia Mountains

Overview:

The Embudito Trail takes you from the very edge of Albuquerque to the top of South Sandia Peak (a rocky prominenceon the crest of the Sandia Mountains). It is an outstanding winter hikethat ascendsa striking canyon across at least three life zones. Do you have cabin fever? The Embudito trail will cure what ails you. Do you need views into grand terrain? The Embudito trail will provide them. Do you needto train?The Embudito Trailwill give you distance and altitude.

(Edit:in the original post this trail was characterized as a “generally safe wintertime ascent”. Several people who havelonger acquaintance with local conditions have suggested otherwise – see comments. I thank them all. The upper bowls, especially, aresteep and open. In a heavy snow year theycould slide.)

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Tags Albuquerque, canyoneering, hiking, New Mexico, Northern New Mexico, Sandia Mountains, Southwest

Categories New Mexico, Sandia Mountains

Overview:

The Pino Canyon trail ascendsthe west side of the Sandia Mountains, leavingfrom the borders of urban Albuquerque and rising to the wild crest. You go from open cacti-and-juniper terrain into dense spruce, fir and Ponderosa Pine (“pino” is Spanish for “pine tree”). The demands on the hiker are much less than some of the other west-side hikes since the trail hits the ridgeatonly 9200 feet. Both the lower altitude and the clear tread make this achoice winter destination. It would be a great place for tuning up those hiking muscles as hiking season pulls into view.

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Tags Albuquerque, canyoneering, hiking, New Mexico, Northern New Mexico, Sandia Mountains, Southwest

Categories New Mexico, Sandia Mountains