It is great to get back on the trail after many months dealing with medical issues. Oak Flats is a perfect area – well used smooth trails, generally smooth and with easy and minimal elevation changes. Plus, it isn’t far from home, it is an open forest of oak and ponderosa pine trees, and we can have breakfast or brunch at one of our favorite places, Roots Farm Cafe in Tijeras.
The Drive In
From Albuquerque eastbound on I-40 exit at Tijeras onto NM 337 southbound (folks who have been in these parts for many years know it as South 14). From Roots Farm Cafe (1/3 mile from the stoplights), proceed uphill for 8.5 miles, then turn left (east) onto Oak Flat Road. A mile on turn left into the Oak Flats Group Campground complex,then turn to the left to follow the road around to the parking area and the Trailhead.
The Hike
Oak Flats “Easy Pickin” Loop Hike.Pat.2025-06-20
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
We’ve done many hikes or walkabouts in Oak Flats over the years. I can’t add much to what I wrote for previous posts, so please check out this one in particular: Oak Flats Trails Walkabout – 08/04/2023
Statistics
Total Distance: 1.69 miles
Elevation: start 7,694 ft, maximum 7,706 ft, minimum 7,644 ft
Gross gain: 12 ft. Aggregate ascending 57 ft, descending 52 ft
Maximum slope: 18% ascending, 15% descending, 4.3% average
Duration: 1:11, Average Speed: 1.4 mph
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
Most mornings we walk 3 to 4+ miles on the trails in the Bosque, along the Rio Grande. We’re getting to know the 3 sections we frequent very well. With a bit more time on this morning, and for a change of scenery, we went to the Forest Service Oak Flats Picnic Site and Trailhead.
The Drive In
Tis an easy drive from Albuquerque: east on I-40, off at Tijeras, south on NM 337 for 10 miles. At the top of the hill, turn left on Oak Flat Road, proceed for 1 mile to the entrance on the left – Oak Flat Picnic Site. Follow the road around to the left, passing Group Sites, to parking for the trailhead.
The Walkabout
Oak Flats Trails Walkabout.Pat.2023-09-04
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
Oak Flats has -many- trails, all of them make quite easy hikes (despite an elevation of 7,600+/- feet). Some sections are a bit rocky and some have some elevation gain; most of the trails are well trodden dirt, occasionally with piñon or ponderosa pine needles. (These trails are popular for the mountain bike enthusiasts, so you may meet them occasionally.)
Checking back on hikes/walkabouts we’ve made before (Other Walkabouts or Hikes at Oak Flats), and ‘tho we took different trails, I can’t add much to the description in the post Oak Flats Walkabout – 04/20/2021. I will add that this day’s loop, further from the trailhead than the 04/20/2021 walkabout, presented an easier hike (less rocky) and was through some of the most pleasant sections of the Oak Flats Open Spaces and the adjacent National Forest land. This Walkabout motivates me to return to Oak Flats more often.
A note: If you are the least bit ‘directionally challenged’ (as I am), or don’t develop a mental picture of the trails as you go along (as I don’t), or can retain an image from a map or otherwise (I can’t do that either), bring a map or GPS to track your position and route. There is a map on the information board at the trailhead; get a photo on your ubiquitous phone to take with you. And maps are available online. On the trails, there are signs at intersections that identify the trails; together with a map, these will help you keep track of your location.
Statistics
Total Distance: 4.82 miles
Elevation: start 7,684 ft, maximum 7,692 ft, minimum 7,490 ft
Gross gain: 202 ft. Aggregate ascending 563 ft, descending 564 ft
Maximum slope: 11% ascending, 14% descending, 3.6% average
Duration: 2:49, Average Speed: 1.7 mph
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
With aspirations to go backpacking when I’m 80 (this year!), I assembled my tent, sleeping gear, some food and water, packed it all into my 38 liter pack, and ‘hit the trail’. I chose to hike on the South Crest Trail in the Sandia Mountains, then spend the night on the hill above our cabin, Cerrito del Llano, near Manzano.
The Drive In
The South Crest Trail begins at the Cañon Estates – Grand Enchantment Trailhead. The Trailhead is uphill from the main intersection in Tijeras; from that intersection go north as ‘tho you are getting onto I-40. But … don’t turn left; instead continue beyond the westbound entrance ramp, then turn to the right and follow Arrowhead Trail to the end where you will find a loop parking area for the Trailhead.
The Hike
South Crest Trail Hike.Solo.2023-07-04
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
This is a well used trail – some rocky areas but generally easy treading. The slope is quite uniform, a decent workout without being strenuous. It passes through the typical juniper/piñon forest. About .6 miles from the trailhead it comes to Travertine Falls. One can go directly to the “falls”, a travertine cliff with a rivulet of water falling, then climb a steep incline up to the Crest Trail, or take a hard right below the falls, -on- the Crest Trail, to a falls overlook.
Nearing 2 miles, the trail enters ponderosa and piñon pine forest (above 7,000 feet), where the trail becomes quite easy – dirt/pine needle surface and gentler slope. Then beyond 3 miles it again becomes steeper and more rocky. At 4 miles, 3 o’clock, beginning to become weary, and knowing it was -4 miles- back to the trailhead, I made the adult choice to turn around and head downhill. ‘Twas a good choice; when I reached the trailhead I was beat.
The Camping
Since this was sort of a backpacking tryout, I planned to camp somewhere. Rather than a location along some trail (e.g. South Crest), I chose to drive to El Cerrito (our cabin site) and camp atop the hill above the cabin, Cerrito del Llano. From the cabin I navigated through the juniper forest to the hilltop, then wandered around until I found a flat, level tent site free of rocks. I set up the tent, fixed myself a ramen/chicken supper, and retired for a good nights sleep. Packed up the next morning, checked on things in the cabin, and headed to Mountainair for lunch with a good friend.
What I learned? I -can- get sufficient gear, food, and water into my pack for at least a short backpacking expedition. And I was comfortable with that load. The nearly 3 liters of water was barely sufficient, especially using half a liter for the ramen. The airpad and sleeping bag made for a good nights sleep.
Highlight
I normally carry an 18#-20# pack on our day hikes – water, stove, lunch or snacks, and miscellaneous gear: first aid kit, knife, inReach EPIRB, … With the added gear for an overnight, the pack came in at 28#. I was pleasantly surprised that once I had the pack settled, I didn’t really feel the extra weight … except that I did get more tired by the end of the hike.
Statistics
Total Distance: 7.97 miles Elevation: start 6,553 ft, maximum 8,221 ft, minimum 6,553 ft Gross gain: 1,668 ft. Aggregate ascending 2,022 ft, descending 2,022 ft Maximum slope: 27% ascending, 24% descending, 8.2% average Duration: 6:53, Average Speed: 1.2 mph
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
Carlito Springs was opened just this spring after having been closed for many years. Our friend Chris, who we meet most mornings at Java Joes, recently visited there and told us of a trail leading from the parking lot to the Travertine Trail and on to the South Crest Trail. I went to check it out.
Addenda: Another friend at Java Joes, Craig, added information about another trail. It proceeds from the road near the 2nd parking area, follows a ridge to meet up with the South Crest trail, a shorter distance than this hike. As he said, it shows up as a thin dashed line on AllTrails, and I also found it on GAIS as “Old South Crest Trail”. We will check that out one day soon.
The Drive In
Travel east on I-40 to the Tijeras exit, NM 337 southbound. Turn right at the light; 1/2 mile turn right under the I-40 overpass; a small sign will direct you to the right; 100 yards on will be another small sign directing you to turn left, up a gravel road. Continue for 1/4 mile to the first of two parking lots; I parked and hiked from here, will return another time and continue to the upper parking lot.
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
The trailhead is an opening in the fence at the head of the parking lot – easy to find. Not far from the trailhead is a trail junction – I was headed toward the South Crest trail so opted for the turn to the right, the eastern part of the Carlito Springs Loop Trail. The trail surface is generally packed dirt with a few embedded rock, and in places loose rock with a gentle climb. This is piñon/juniper territory, so not much shade.
At about 1/2 mile, the Carlito Springs Loop breaks off to the left; another 200 yards beyond there is a very short connector that dips into a ravine and up the other side to the Travertine Falls/South Crest Trail. This is a very short thin dashed line on GAIA that I missed on the way out; I continued up an “Unmaintained Trail” until, realizing my oversight, I bushwhacked back to the Travertine Falls/South Crest trail.
From there I continued up past -the- Travertine Falls (only a trickle of water flowing this day) and onto the South Crest Trail. This trail appears be used more than the Carlito Springs Loop, so it has more packed earth with again some sections of loos rock. And ‘tho still in piñon/juniper, more trees along the trail, perhaps 50%, provided some shade.
Note: At the Travertine Falls I met the nicest group of young ladies; we shared notes on trails around Albuquerque. One of them, from Portland, spoke of some day hiking the Oregon Coast Trail; that sounds like it would be a great hike, through or segments.
Some 1.8 miles into the hike, climbing above 6,800 or 7,000 feet, the trail enters the piñon/ponderosa forest where there is significantly more shade. Then 2.8 miles into the hike is the junction with the Upper Faulty trail. (We made the Crest/Faulty loop hike back in 2013 and 2014.) I continued on the Crest Trail, now a lessor slope on mostly packed earth with some ponderosa pine needles as a carpet. It became so easy going that I felt that I could go on to the top; I had hiked as far as South Sandia with Marlin back in 2014. But … realizing that today returning to the trailhead would stretch my endurance, I made the adult decision and headed back down, making it 10 miles that day.
We’ve enjoyed a wonderful spring with every kind of plant aflowering. With no rain this time of year and temperatures into the high 90s, ’tis only the cacti that are blooming: prickly pear and cholla.
Statistics
Total Distance: 6.8 miles Elevation: start 6,439 ft, maximum 7,756 ft, minimum 6,423 ft Gross gain: 1,333 ft. Aggregate ascending 1.721 ft, descending 1.736 ft Maximum slope: 25% ascending, 24% descending, 8.4% average Duration: 4:29
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
Wishing to have a hike close to home, we returned to Oak Flats for its easy trails and autumn colors.
The Drive In
‘Tis an easy drive – east on I-40 through Tijeras Canyon, exit on NM 337 for Tijeras, then up to the top of the hill. Turn left on Oak Flat Rd, proceed for 1 mile, turn into the Oak Flats Open Spaces. Take the drive to the left, follow it around to the trailhead. (Depending on the time of day, consider stopping by Roots Farm Cafe on the way in for breakfast or coffee, or on the way out for lunch.)
The Hike
Oak Flats-Pine Loop Trails Hike.Pat.2022-10-13
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
Like other recent hikes, we started at the Oak Flat Trailhead, proceeding on Pine Loop, Gamble Oak, then hooking up with Pine Loop to return to the trailhead.
Statistics
Total Distance: 3.92 miles Elevation: start 7,685 ft, maximum 7,692 ft, minimum 7,343 ft Gross gain: 350 ft. Aggregate ascending 658 ft, descending 657 ft Maximum slope: 21% ascending, 25% descending, 5.5% average Duration: 2:03
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
Taking a bit more time this morning for our customary morning walk, we drove out to Tijeras Canyon, then up NM 337 to Cedro and Albuquerque’s Oak Flats Open Spaces. In addition to this change of venue from our walks in the Bosque along the Rio Grande, we were on the lookout for oak acorns, fodder for Pat’s dyeing explorations.
The Drive In
‘Tis an easy drive – east on I-40 through Tijeras Canyon, exit on NM 337 for Tijeras, then up to the top of the hill. Turn left on Oak Flat Rd, proceed for 1 mile, turn into the Oak Flats Open Spaces. Take the drive to the left, follow it around to the trailhead. (Depending on the time of day, consider stopping by Roots Farm Cafe on the way in for breakfast or coffee, or on the way out for lunch.)
The Hike
Oak Flats Walkabout.Pat.2022-09-03
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
The trails here in Oak Flats are well used – by hikers and bicyclists. Most of the trail’s surface is smooth-easy walking; there are a few rocky places. The Area is mostly open juniper and piñon pine, with small groves of oak (hence the name). As you can see from the elevation profile above (isn’t GoogleEarth great?), there isn’t much elevation change in Oak Flats.
Trails do criss-cross the area; we had a general idea how we wanted to go, but as usual we kept a GPS track for reference (and to publish on these BLOG posts). And the GPS show the trails on their maps (USTopo and especially GAIA).
On hikes here in New Mexico, I find flowers enhance the experience of nearly every hike. This holds true for this hike, even so far into autumn, and in an area that otherwise seems to be very dry.
Total Distance: 2.59 miles Elevation: start 7,684 ft, maximum 7,703 ft, minimum 7,640 ft Gross gain: 63 ft. Aggregate ascending 338 ft, descending 338 ft Maximum slope: 14% ascending, 16% descending, 4.1% average Duration: 1:29
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
The trails in Tijeras Canyon, like Hawk Watch, are favorites – close to home, just challenging enough to keep our physical condition, and nice scenery too. Because it is so close to the city (but not -in- the city), I’m placing this and others in Tijeras Canyon in the Category ‘Suburban’ hikes.
Today, as I will sometimes do, I did this hike solo. On other occasions, Pat & I will take a morning and do a -suburban- hike to stretch our legs (and whole body) as is the case for the 2nd hike in this BLOG post. Thru these we get more exercise than we get for our -urban’ hikes, like our walks in the Bosque.
The Drive In
The reach the trailhead, go east on NM 333 from Tramway Blvd for about 3.25 miles, then turn left onto Monticello Drive. Proceed uphill .5 miles, turn left onto Alegre Dr (there has been a sign pointing to the trailhead), then take the 2nd street to the right (another sign) onto Tres Pistolas Trail; continue to the parking lot for the Tres Pistolas Trailhead. Hike up the Tres Postolas Trail (also labeled Three Gun Springs Trail, No. 194) for about .5 miles; a few feet beyond the gate into the Sandia Mountain Wilderness, turn right and downhill onto the Hawk Watch Trail (No. 215). Enjoy this downhill stretch – from here Hawk Watch goes -uphill-.
The Hikes
Hawk Watch Loop.Solo.2022-04-07
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
The 1st hike, solo: I went out to hike Hawk Watch, but at the trailhead chose to explore other routes. Rather than proceeding up the main trail, from the parking area I angled off to the right (east) on what appeared to be a trail. I soon found myself in a wash, following tracks that gave me the idea it was a trail. And so it was; about 1/3 mile on, I turned onto a trail to the right anticipating that it would ultimately take me up to the Hawk Trail. So it did; the trail proceeded up hill (200′ in half a mile) and intersected with Hawk Watch. I continued from there 1.3 miles until the slope of the trail became very steep (and slippery on a sand/gravel surface) where I became uncomfortable and decided I had come far enough.
On the way down, I began looking for an alternate trail on which I might return to parking. From a higher vantage point, I had seen trails on ridges south of Hawk Watch that held promise for such an alternate route. Returning 8/10th of a mile I came across a trail to the left, so I took it. Along the way I maintained my bearings, choosing trails at a couple of intersections that seemed promising, and they did lead me right back to the Tacoma.
Hawk Watch Loop Hike.Pat.2022-04-17
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
The 2nd hike, with Pat: This hike was appealing to us for one of our daily “walks”, or hikes. It offers a nice distance (that is, time spent on the hike) and some elevation gain which we need in preparation for hikes later this year, like Mount Taylor in May. So, it served our purposes nicely, and as a bonus provides great views of the Three Gun Springs canyon, the side of South Sandia Mountain, and even out across the plains to the southwest. A great “suburban” hike.
Statistics
The 1st Hike (solo): Total Distance: 3.55 miles Elevation: start 6,321 ft, maximum 7,699 ft, minimum 6,321 ft Gross gain: 1,378 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,464 ft, descending 1,464 ft Maximum slope: 45% ascending, 44% descending, 14% average Duration: 3:18
The 2nd Hike (w/ Pat): Total Distance: 1.8 miles Elevation: start 6,321 ft, maximum 6,844 ft, minimum 6,321 ft Gross gain: 514 ft. Aggregate ascending 560 ft, descending 571 ft Maximum slope: 35% ascending, 32% descending, 11% average Duration: 1:07
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
Tijeras is close to home, and the Oak Flats area makes for a nice walkabout (I refer to a walkabout as a “hike” less than a couple of miles and we don’t bring lunch or snacks).
The Drive In
From downtown Albuquerque, take I-40 east to the Tijeras exchange. Proceed south on NM 337 (old South 14) 8.8 miles, turn left onto Oak Flat Road. In 1 mile, turn into the Oak Flats Group Picnic. Gates were open so we drove around to the left and parked at the end of the driveway.
The Hike
Oak Flat Trail Walkabout.Pat.2021-10-11
The trail starts at the north end of the parking area; it is well used by hikers and bicycles. It goes downhill for a bit, then uphill, then downhill some more; the slopes are minimal, the total elevation change only 50 feet. We turned back after .9 miles; with more time we would have made a loop out of the hike.
Statistics
Click on the map for a larger view.
Total Distance: 1.8 miles Elevation: start 7,685 ft, maximum 7,692 ft, minimum 7,642 ft Gross gain: 50 ft. Aggregate ascending 248 ft, descending 249 ft Maximum slope: 14% ascending, 15% descending, 4.5% average Duration: 1:04
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
Another hike without a preconceived plan – we felt a need to get out for a few hours.
The Drive In
Oak Flats is close to our home in downtown Albuquerque, close for everyone living in Albuquerque. Go eastbound on I-40 to Tijeras, then south, up the hill on NM 337, to the turn to Oak Flat Road, continue for a mile to the Oak Flats Picnic Area.
The Walkabout
Oak Flats Walkabout.Pat.2021-04-17
There are a myriad of trails in the area around the Oak Flats Picnic Area. (check CalTopo’s map). Ample parking is available at the entrance to the Picnic Area. The trails have been given names (and numbers) and there are signs at junctions. Leaving the parking area haded north, we found ourselves at a junction of the Caida del Piño and Easy Pickin’ trails. We turn right onto the latter, a 10th of a mile on we turned left onto Mahogany (which is also a two-track). We stayed on Mahogany until Gamble Oak – turned left until turning left on Caida del Piño, heading back to parking.
Typical of the condition of the trails.
These trails are among the most pleasant and easy hiking in the area. The surface is dirt, often covered with pine needles, with occasional gravel and small rocks. The forest is quite open but the trails are mostly shaded.
The forest has generally been cleared of undergrowth.
This area is very popular for folks on mountain bikes. The -do- contribute to maintaining the trails in good condition. We encountered only one bike on this weekday; more bikers may use the area on weekends.
Highlight
Our timing for this ‘escape’ was excellent – we finished in time to have a fine lunch at Roots Farm Cafe, a favorite stop for us anytime we’re heading out that way.
Statistics
Total Distance: 2.50 miles Elevation: start 7,670 ft, maximum 7,690 ft, minimum 7,576 ft Gross gain: 134 ft. Aggregate ascending 311 ft, descending 311 ft Maximum slope: 16% ascending, 16% descending, 3.9% average Duration: 1:36
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
This week we chose the Embudito Trail, which Pat & I had not hiked before. The trailhead is in the Glenwood Hills neighborhood: on Montgomery Ave, go east past its intersection the Tramway Blvd, left on Glenwood Hills Dr, look for the sign to turn right onto Trailhead Rd. There is ample parking for all but the busiest days.
The Hike
Embudito-Three Gun Spring Trails Hike.Pat.2020-05-01
From research, I learned one could go up the bottom of the canyon or on a trail on the slopes of Oso Ridge north of the canyon bottom. We chose the latter, the ‘high trail’, to avoid the rock falls described by others who had stayed in the canyon bottom. The trail leaves the north side of the parking lot; in about 1,000 feet turn left to take the ‘high trail’. The first 1.5 miles or so presents a steady, easy climb of 1,000 feet; this is one of the most pleasant beginnings for any of the trails on the west side of the Sandias. Beyond a mile or so we encountered some rock outcrops that required a bit of clamoring. We were on the trail early so had the shade of the mountains until the sun rose above them; because there are no trees this would be a bit warm later on a summer day. At about the 2 mile point, going above 7,000′ elevation we found ourselves in a mixed forest of juniper, piñon, and a few ponderosa pine. The shade was welcome and the trail surface changed from sand/gravel/rocks to loam/pine needles – a welcome change. At about the 2.25 mile point we passed the junction with the Oso Ridge trail and descended into and across Embudito Canyon where trail continued on the south slope of the Canyon. At this higher elevation and in the forest, we enjoyed pleasant, cooler temperatures and more of the very nice trail surface (interspersed with some climb-over rocks). At this point we debated whether to begin our return to the trailhead or … forge ahead tho’ without a definitive plan. We estimated some distances to consider options: 1) continue to the junction with Three Gun Spring ( mile further), then return, or 2) continue to the junction with Embudo (another mile further), then maybe continue to the Three Gun Spring trailhead. When we reached the Embudo junction, we decided – what the heck – let’s make it another “over the top” hike (and call brother Garth for transport back to our truck at the Embudito trailhead). So that’s what we did, our longest hike yet, with the most elevation gain.
Statistics
Total Distance: 8.63 miles Elevation: start 6,239 ft, maximum 8,486 ft, minimum 6,239 ft Gross gain: 2,247 ft. Aggregate ascending 3,106 ft, descending 3,020 ft Maximum slope: 33% ascending, 26% descending, 12.4% average Duration: 9:19
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get a much better idea of the hikes and terrain than you can get from the screenshot above. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files.
