One of our early hikes, checking out trails out of Tijeras, on the south end of the Sandia Mountains. One of our early hikes, checking out trails out of Placitas, on the north end of the Sandia Mountains.
The Hike
Tres Pistolas.Jay.2014-05-11
Statistics
Total Distance: 4.96 miles Elevation: start 6,389 ft, maximum 7,924 ft, minimum 6,322 ft Gross gain: 1,602 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,616 ft, descending 1,683ft Maximum slope: 29% ascending, 27% descending, 12.0% average Duration: 3:23
I urge you to explore our hiking tracks with Google Earth. 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 2-dimensional screenshot above. For assistance: Using Google Earth Track Files.
This is a catch-up, posted in Feb 2019. One of our early hikes, checking out trails out of Tijeras, on the south end of the Sandia Mountains.
Statistics
Total Distance: 5.56 miles Elevation: start 6,555 ft, maximum 7,659 ft, minimum 6,553 ft Gross gain: 1,106 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,503 ft, descending 1,505 ft Maximum slope: 29% ascending, 30% descending, 8.9% average Duration: 3:12
I urge you to explore our hiking tracks with Google Earth. 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 2-dimensional screenshot above. For assistance: Using Google Earth Track Files.
Posting this in 2019, catching up with whatever information I have. One of our early hikes, checking out trails in Tijeras Canyon, on the south end of the Sandia Mountains.
The Hike
South Crest Hike.Marlin.2014-08-12
This was a great hike with Marlin, as you can see long and with large elevation gain. But I remember it well. The initial part of the trail I’ve done many times, but only up to the junction with Upper Faulty trail. For this hike we continued on the South Crest Trail until we reached the ridge and enjoyed a fabulous view across Albuquerque. Part of the motivation for this hike was to determine if the Hawk Watch trail reached the top/ridge. On investigation, we found evidence that in fact Hawk Watch does top out here. One day, I’ll tackle Hawk Watch.
Statistics
Total Distance: 9.07 miles Elevation: start 6,552 ft, maximum 8,548 ft, minimum 6,550 ft Gross gain: 1,998 ft. Aggregate ascending 2,482 ft, descending 2,482 ft Maximum slope: 27% ascending, 26% descending, 9.0% average Duration: 6:07
I urge you to explore our hiking tracks with Google Earth. 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 2-dimensional screenshot above. For assistance: Using Google Earth Track Files.
Another retro-post (June 2018), a hike with Jay in the Sandias back in 2015.
Statistics
Total Distance: 4.89 miles Elevation: start 6,325 ft, maximum 7,924 ft, minimum 6,325 ft Gross gain: 1,599ft. Aggregate ascending 1,659 ft, descending 1,720 ft Maximum slope: 46% ascending, 30% descending, 12% average Duration: 3:24
I urge you to explore our hiking tracks with Google Earth. 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 2-dimensional screenshot above. For assistance: Using Google Earth Track Files.
Pat & I sought a hike not too far from home; decided to try another of the trails in the Manzanita Mountains south out of Tijeras. The trails all along NM 377 are open to mountain bikes and ATVs of all kinds, and they are heavily used. We hoped to avoid those kinds of traffic by choosing a trail that is a bit more remote, and hopefully has less traffic. We were successful on that score; we encountered only 4 dirt bikes and 2 ATVs, this on a Sunday afternoon. However … because of heavy use especially by dirt bikes, the trails aren’t ‘smooth’ for foot traffic. Where the trails bend they are strongly canted, and where the trail is going up or down, the surface us often totally rock (see the image at the top of this page).
The Drive In
The drive in is easy enough, climbing on a nice dirt road off of Juan Thomas road, up to the Cedro Group Campground.
The Hike
Cedro Hike.Pat.2018-04-15
We parked at a trailhead parking area a short distance above the Campground and headed down a trail marked 05623, or so we thought. However, later when I referred to the map published by the Forest Service, I discovered we were actually on 05625, “Cedro Singletrack”. Our goal was to make a loop (05625, 05627, and then 05623). Not having the FS map in hand, but using USTopo which did have these trails marked, I became unsure of our position relative to 05627 and decided to return by 05625. We did leave that trail to hook up with 05623 about half way back to the truck. It was on this leg of our hike, on 05623 (which is in spots a very rough 2-track), that we encountered two of the dirt bikes and the ATVs who came zooming by.
Highlight
These Manzanita Mountains are close to home, but they don’t provide pleasant and interesting hiking like other places. The forest is nearly all juniper and piñon with a few ponderosa pines. The terrain is rough (especially rocky) nearly everywhere, and there are few places with any views beyond the immediate surroundings. You might discern – this is not our favorite territory for our hikes.
Statistics
Total Distance: 4.70 miles Elevation: start 7,418 ft, maximum 7,517 ft, minimum 7,256 ft Gross gain: 261 ft. Aggregate ascending 766 ft, descending 766 ft Maximum slope: 16% ascending, 19% descending, 5,8% average Duration: 3:00
I urge you to explore our hiking tracks with Google Earth. 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 2-dimensional screenshot above. For assistance: Using Google Earth Track Files.
Today we needed a hike for a short day, closer to ‘home’ than the Jemez or San Pedro Parks. Opted to hit a trail on the northwest section of the Cedro Peak area of the Sandia Ranger District.
The Drive In
To get to the trailhead, drive east from Tijeras on NM 333 (old Route 66), turn right on FR 462/Bartoloa Baca Rd/Kennedy Rd ( a bit over 3 miles from the main intersection in Tijeras). About a mile up FR 462 you will find parking on the left (just before the road becomes -really- rough). Trails in this area are used heavily for mountain biking, tho’ we saw none on this Sunday.
The Hike
Lower Pine Hike.Jay.2017-10-01
The trail proceed up a ravine for about a mile, on a surface that is quite rocky. The remainder of the trail was easier, with only short sections of rocky surface. At the intersection with Gear Grinder and Pinyon trails, we chose to go right onto Gear Grinder. The trail was easy to follow for a half mile or so, but we weren’t able to find it where it headed south. After casting about for a few minutes, we headed southeast ‘cross country’, intercepting the well used and easy to identify Pinyon trail. The trek north on Pinyon was the easiest of the hike. We then followed Lower Pine back to parking.
Statistics
Total Distance: 6.18 miles Elevation: start 6,694 ft, maximum 7,116 ft, minimum 6,694 ft Gross gain: 422 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,151 ft, descending 1,143 ft Maximum slope: 21% ascending, 19% descending, 6% average Duration: 3:55
I urge you to explore our hiking tracks with Google Earth. 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 2-dimensional screenshot above. For assistance: Using Google Earth Track Files.
Looking for a trail nearby for a short afternoon hike, we headed south out of Tijeras Canyon, going up Cedro Canyon on NM337, for one of the trails on the east side of the Manzanita Mountains. At the top of the hill, turning right on Raven Road, and staying on it as it winds around a bit, we noted a drive to the right (Mars Court) at the end of which was a sign showing the Manzanita Mountain Trails System.
The Hike
Turkey Trails.Pat.2017-04-18
We opted for the loop Turkey Trot, FS Rd 335, and Wild Turkey. The trail starts out through open forest of Ponderosa, Gambel Oak, and other smaller plants; the trail was rocky in a few places but overall an easy surface, and mostly downhill for about 2.5 miles until the intersection the FS Rd 335 (also identified on Google Earth as the Grand Enchantment Trail).
RS Rd 335 is a moderately used two track in open spaces (almost meadow), very easy walking for the next 1.5 miles. We did not find the entrance on to the Wild Turkey trail, but realizing that the trailhead was abreast of our track, we headed to the right, up the east side of the canyon until we came across another well-used trail. This turned out to be the Cajun Turkey trail, which took us to the Wild Turkey trail and back to the parking area.
Statistics
Total Distance: 4.77 miles Elevation: start 7,611 ft, maximum 7,611 ft, minimum 7,155 ft Gross gain: 566 ft. Aggregate ascending 755 ft, descending 753 ft Maximum slope: 27 % ascending, 19% descending, 6% average Duration: 3:18
I urge you to explore our hiking tracks with Google Earth. 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 2-dimensional screenshot above. For assistance: Using Google Earth Track Files.
After 3 days of rain and snowy weather in the mountains, we chose this trail out of Tijeras Canyon expecting it to be less muddy – and it was, thanks to the surface that is more rocky than many trails nearby. We had hiked this trail 3, 4, maybe 5 years ago (‘tho I can’t find a record in my files), so it was nice to return to it.
The Hike
South Crest.Jay.2017-04-02Flora on this hike – moss growing on tree trunk.Started off in cool temperature (45 degrees) but sunny conditions. At the base of the trail there was some snow on the ground and in the trees, and as we proceeded up the trail there was more and more snow.As the temperature warmed, the snow began falling out of the trees and sometimes down our necks. The temperature had warmed enough by the time we started down towards the truck the trail had become quite muddy and the snow was quickly disappearing.
We followed the South Crest trail as far as the junction with Lower Faulty, then angled off to the left following the tracks of an earlier hiker. We later discovered that we had not continued on South Crest as we thought, but the this unmarked trail was easy to follow and makes a very nice alternative, and .. results in tracking a loop. We recommend it.
Jay here: Quite the change of pace for many reasons. We had gotten used to lack of ascent from all the hiking in the Ojito Wilderness, so it was a real departure to be climbing up the mountain for 1400+ feet….in snow. Also, we have been spoiled having trails all to ourselves without running into a single soul, but these trails were loaded with single hikers, dogs and entire families. Other than the trail traffic and the mud, it was a great hike for getting back into shape for tougher climbs ahead.
Statistics
Total Distance: 4.29 miles Elevation: start 6,552 ft, maximum 7,721 ft, minimum 6,552 ft Gross gain: 1,169 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,410 ft, descending 1,409 ft Maximum slope: 37% ascending, 38% descending, 13% average Duration: 3:43
I urge you to explore our hiking tracks with Google Earth. 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 2-dimensional screenshot above. For assistance: Using Google Earth Track Files.
Flora for this hike – prickly pear cactus showing it’s winter garb.
Great hike for Pat and me, returning to this trail which takes us into the south end of the Sandia Mountains, with great views across the Manzanitas to the Manzanos and Tierra Grande.
The Hike
Three Gun Springs.Pat.2017-03-30
Statistics
Total Distance: 3.6 miles Elevation: start 6,325 ft, maximum 7,270 ft, minimum 6,325 ft Gross gain: 945 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,069 ft, descending 1,076 ft Maximum slope: 38% ascending, 35% descending, 11% average Duration: 3:29
I urge you to explore our hiking tracks with Google Earth. 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 2-dimensional screenshot above. For assistance: Using Google Earth Track Files.
Got a late start today, so chose a trail close to Albuquerque, plus rain and snow yesterday would have made unpaved roads too difficult. We’ve avoided these trails up South 14 out of Tijeras because they are used so much by mountain bikers. But today, with the muddy and in many places slushy snow on the trail, the bikers were not out.
The Hike
Otero Canyon.Jay.2017-01-02 – In the Manzanita Mountains; the south end of Manzano Mountains can be seen on the horizon.
Temperature was cool (low 40s) but no wind on the trail, and with moderate cold weather clothing we were quite comfortable. As mentioned, mud, slush, and some soft ice were the order of the day. The trail goes up Otero Canyon, the climbs to the ridge north of the canyon, and returns to the parking area. Surface is almost entirely soil, tho’ if one sticks to the canyon bottom it is rock covered (which we did in sections to avoid the often very muddy trail proper). There are no steep sections (great for the bikers?) thanks to good switchbacks climbing out 0f the canyon.
This makes for a really good hike for the less athletic (or enthusiastic), when the mountain bikers aren’t out in force.
Jay here: The mud, ice and snow made for an intimidating hike experience. I kept thinking that we would reach some point on the trail that was just impassable due to the depth of the mud or danger of ice. In that respect it was another example of pushing beyond one’s comfort zone. When we got back to the trailhead it took us 10 minutes to scrape the mud off the bottom and sides of our boots. Next time there’s the prospect of mud, we’re bringing shoes to change into.
Statistics
Total Distance: 5.06 miles Elevation: 6,820 start, 7,357 maximum, 5794 minimum Gross gain: 537 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,015 ft, descending: 1,015 ft Maximum slope: 28% ascending, 32% descending, 6% average Duration: 3:05
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.
