Category Archives: Sandias, West

In the vicinity of the west slopes of the Sandia Mountains, NM.

Eye of the Sandias Trail Hike – 12/03/2021

How to keep in condition, or build up more, for future hiking? Go on a challenging trail, and the Eye of the Sandias is one of those trails.

The Drive In

Their are two trailheads one can use to get most directly to the trail. One is at the east end of Copper Ave NE (and there is a placemark for it on GoogleEarth). This  trailhead is quite popular because it provides ready access to many of the hiking/biking trails at the southern end of Albuquerque’s Open Spaces in the western foothills of the Sandia Mountains.

To get most directly to a trailhead, I opted to use the one at the northern end of Camino De La Sierra NE. To get there, go to the eastern end of Copper Ave, turn right onto Parkside Dr NE. Parkside T’s into Camino Del La Sierra. Park in the vicinity, then head to the end of the Camino for the trailhead.

The Hike

Eye Of The Sandia Trail Hike.Solo.2021-12-03
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).

I hiked Eye of the Sandias twice before (some years ago), so I new it would be a good workout today; just what I wanted. And I wasn’t disappointed. The trail is well used, so easy to follow. But, there are other trails that intersect this one, some with signs. If you simply take the uphill option, you will likely stay on Eye of the Sandias (or … bring your favorite GPS app with the GPS track you can download below, and record your own hike).

Not far from the trailhead, the slope increases from 11% to better than 25%. And except for a few breaks, it is that steep all the way to the Eye, in some places even greater. This day, weather was cool (around 60) with no wind, great for a hike with the exertion required for Eye of the Sandias.

Statistics

Total Distance:  3.34 miles
Elevation: start  5,964 ft, maximum  7,234 ft,  minimum 5,962 ft
Gross gain: 1,272 ft.  Aggregate ascending 1,422 ft, descending 1,424 ft
Maximum slope: 35% ascending, 33% descending, 15% average
Duration: 2:26

GPS Track Files for Download
65 Downloads
77 Downloads
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.

Related Posts

Eye of the Sandias, 02/21/2016
Eye of the Sandias, 12/10/2015

References and Resources

Check the Related Posts for online references.

Embudito Canyon-Three Gun Spring Trails – 05/01/2020

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). 20200501_122945At 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

GPS Track Files for Download
91 Downloads
93 Downloads
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.

References and Resources

USDA Forest Service: Embudito Trailhead & Embudito Trail 192
Albuquerque Parks & Recreation:
      Albuquerque Open Space Foothills Trail Map (PDF)
AllTrails: Embudito Canyon Trail
Sandia Mountain Hiking Guide: Embudito Trail
ASCHG: Embudito Canyon Hike
Dog of the Desert: Embudito Trail in the Sandias
ondafringe: Day Hike: Embudito Trail to Oso Pass

Embudo-Three Gun Springs Trails Hike – 04/21/2020

Having ‘tested our mettle’ on Three Gun Springs two weeks ago, we addressed Embudo Trail this day. We started out with just the idea that it was another in our preparations to go “over the top” in a future hike (up Embudo, down Three Gun Springs), and to refamiliarize ourselves with the trail. With warmer weather coming, we headed out early to get into the canyon (and some shade) before the sun got too high.

The Hike

I posted a good description of the trail from our hike last year. We debated this day whether to take the Horse Bypass or tackle The Rocks – we chose the latter (‘serious rocks’ on the GoogleEarth track). Not mentioned in last year’s BLOG, there is a section of trail above the ‘serious rocks’ that is quite open, giving a truly great view into the upper reaches of Embudo Canyon and South Sandia peak. This section is memorable to us, harkening back to our first hikes in 2010 when the signs of the burn were still fresh.  Last year we stopped short of another section of more ‘serious rocks’ at the start of the steepest section of the trail.

Upon reaching this ridgetop, we were treated to our first view of south end of the Sandias and the Hawk Watch promontory- ’tis quite a sight. Looking south along the ridgetop, became curious where it might lead (and we started looking for a good place for our lunch break). I had seen evidence on an old map of an alternate trail from Embudo Canyon into Three Gun Springs canyon, and wondered if it might be here. We proceeded about a quarter of a mile and saw what was clearly a trail, but weren’t willing to explore it this day. After some searching, we found a place that was suitable for our break – a bit level with rocks for a backrest (some shade would have been nice).

After the challenging climb up Embudo, now near the top and the junction with Three Gun Springs, and .. knowing we could call my brother (who recently moved to Albuquerque) for a ride, we decided to make this our over-the-top hike. We returned to the Embudo Trail, continued to the junction with the Three Gun Springs trail, and descended to the trailhead where Garth was waiting for us.

Statistics

Total Distance:  6.13 miles
Elevation: start  6,175 ft, maximum  7,905 ft,  minimum  6,175 ft
Gross gain:  1,730 ft.  Aggregate ascending  2,033 ft, descending  1,883 ft
Maximum slope: 36% ascending, 35% descending, 10.6% average
Duration: 7:01

GPS Track Files for Download
82 Downloads
84 Downloads
If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, I urge you to try it. With the virtual 3-dimensional
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.

References and Resources

USDA Forest Service: Embudo TH, Embudo Trail 192 & Horse Bypass 193A
TripAdvisor: Embudo Canyon Trail
References from last year’s hike: Embudo Canyon Trail Hike – 04/26/2019

Oso Ridge-Embudito Trails Hike – 11/18/2019

Not having hiked recently, I headed out to the Northeast Heights for a hike on the western slopes of the Sandia Mountains. I chose the Embudito area because, unlike the other hiking destinations in the Foothills trails that go into the Sandias, there is not a long walk from parking to the trailhead. I had hiked the Embudito Trail before, way back in 2014, so this was also a reacquaintence with the trail.

The Hike

The trailhead is at the eastern edge of the Glenwood Hills neighborhood, east of Tramway – take Montgomery Blvd east to Glenwood Hills Dr, then right on Trailhead Rd. I chose to take the Oso Ridge trail up Oso Ridge, then loop back on the Embudito trail. I walked along residential back yards looking for the trail – it was difficult initially but after climbing up the slope a bit the trail became evident. ‘Tis a bit challenging (easy surface, just uphill) – 1,100 feet in a bit over a mile.

Once on the ridge the going was easier. It was another 300 feet of elevation gain along the ridge to the highest elevation, but easy hiking. Along the way I came upon a small heard of mule deer, a half dozen does and one buck who stood alert above me on the ridge until the does had gone to the other side of the ridge.

At about 3.75 miles into the hike the trail begins descending to intersect the Embudito trail. After relaxing a bit with ramen noodles (great to have some warm soup), I headed down Embudito and back to the Tacoma. As on so many trails in the Sandias (and elsewhere), the views were so scenic, the weather clear and sunny, and the trails challenging enough to get the body warmed up.

Statistics

Total Distance:  3.96 miles
Elevation: start  6,240 ft, maximum  7,652 ft,  minimum  6,240 ft
Gross gain:  1,412 ft.  Aggregate ascending  1,671 ft, descending  1,671 ft
Maximum slope: 44% ascending, 39% descending, 15.7% average
Duration: 3:02

GPS Track Files for Download
100 Downloads
103 Downloads
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.

References and Resources

AllTrails:
    Oso Ridge Trail
    Oso Ridge and Embudito Trail Loop
ASCHG: Oso Ridge – Embudito Loop Hike
Santa Fe Outdoors: Oso Ridge-Embudito Loop
New Mexico Meanders:
    2017-12-02 Oso Ridge (Vertical Forest) Trail
    2017-01-14 Embudito Canyon (Sandia Mountains)

Piedra Lisa South Hike – 05/11/2013

Piedra Lisa South Hike.Jay.2013-05-11

A catch-up post from ‘way back’ in 2013. Piedra Lisa is a favorite trail, whether from the south, Juan Tabo Cañon or the north from Loop Road in Placitas.

Statistics

Total Distance:  4.61 miles
Elevation: start  6,982 ft, maximum  8,217 ft,  minimum  6,930 ft
Gross gain:  1,287 ft.  Aggregate ascending  1,787 ft, descending  1,839 ft
Maximum slope: 35% ascending, 47% descending, 12.6% average
Duration: 3:23

GPS Track Files for Download
196 Downloads
88 Downloads
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.

Piedra Lisa South Trail Hike – 05/02/2019

We haven’t hiked the Piedra Lisa trail in a long time; I last hiked it back in 2015. Pat & I thought it would be a good one today: close by, in the shade, not to long or strenuous.  Oops, wrong on that last count.

The Drive In

The trailhead is on Forest Service 333 Rd, about a third of a mile beyond where the pavement ends. 

The Hike

Piedra Lisa South Hike.Pat.2019-05-02

Introduction

When I first hiked here, the initial “trail” was on the road for about half a mile, then headed off into the woods.  Now there is a “bypass” trail that is much nicer, running parallel to the road and in the shade of woods and presents a small elevation gain (~100 ft) for that half mile.  But … the trail then heads uphill, gaining about 100 ft for each .1 mile ( or 17% slope) ‘tho offering a nice, easy hiking surface.  The trail continues that way to the top with only a couple of somewhat level stretches.

The Hike

We hadn’t planned on such a hike but were pleased to have conquered Piedra Lisa. All along the trail the views were great: to the southwest down La Cueva Canyon and beyond to a broad vista of Albuquerque and to the east the cliffs of this west side of the Sandia Mountains. Unfortunately this was a hazy day so the photos below don’t convey the views very well.  At the “top”, a saddle atop Rincon Ridge, we stopped for our mid-hike break where we had a nice view north into Placitas. (From here, one can continue north on the Del Agua trail that ends on the Loop Road that comes off NM165 in Placitas; Jay and I did a p0int-to-point on these trails back in 2013, not long after we started hiking regularly.)

Hiking up Piedra Lisa is strenuous; likewise hiking back down the trail is strenuous in a different way.  Because it is quite smooth but in many places with a layer of sand, careful management of downhill speed/energy is required. This can be as wearing on muscles as the climb up, ‘tho different muscles. It is, however, contributing to our conditioning to do more and sometimes strenuous in the coming months.

Statistics

Total Distance:  4.3 miles
Elevation: start  6,929 ft, maximum  8,166 ft,  minimum  6,929 ft
Gross gain:  1,237 ft.  Aggregate ascending  1,642 ft, descending  1,643 ft
Maximum slope: 37% ascending, 39% descending, 12.4% average
Duration: 4:16

GPS Track Files for Download
156 Downloads
99 Downloads
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.

References and Resources

USDA Forest Service: Piedra Lisa South Trailhead-Piedra Lisa Trail 135
ASCHG: Piedra Lisa South Hike
                Piedra Lisa South To North Hike
AllTrails: South Piedra Lisa Trail
SummitPost: Piedra Lisa Trail No. 135 (South Trail)
ondafringe: Day Hike: South Piedra Lisa Trail
Enchanting Wildflowers: 10 Enchanting Wildflowers Native to New Mexico

Embudo Canyon Trail Hike – 04/26/2019

After our hike on the Three Gun Springs trail, we set our sights on preparing to do a one-way hike, Embudo Canyon to Three Gun Springs or the reverse.  But first we wanted to “test ourselves” and to become familiar with Embudo, then decide which direction for our one-way hike.

We’ve hiked Embudo Canyon before, Pat & I back in 2010 and 2011; unfortunately that was before I started tracking hikes so there is no track record.  And I’ve since gone with Marlin and Jay but these were back in 2014.  So this was a refresher for this trail. 

The Drive In

The trailhead is at the eastern terminus of Indian School Rd, a large parking lot (no fee, but no toilet as is provided in Elena Gallegos). 

The Hike

Embudo Canyon Hike.Pat.2019-04-26

The first half mile or so is in Albuquerque’s Open Spaces, a wide sandy path up the canyon, past a huge water tank, to the top of a flood control dam – a good climb for starters and no shade.  Descending down from the dam, one enters the Sandia Mountains Wilderness area and you’re -on the trail-.

Initially inside the Wilderness boundary, the canyon is wide and the trail easy going.  But … about a half mile along the canyon becomes very narrow with some large rocks and rock falls it would seem blocking the way (hereafter, The Rocks).  But in each case, we found a route to get over or around these “blockages”.  (On the way down, we discovered a trail to bypass this section – more on that later.)  From there the trail (well used and easy to follow) continues on up the canyon with beautiful view of the south end of the Sandia Mountains.  The trail follows the verge of the canyon for about a half mile from the Rocks (some 300 feet elevation gain), then starts uphill towards the saddle and the junction with Three Gun Springs and Oso Pass trails.

After a couple of switch-backs on this steeper section of the trail, we stopped for our mid-hike break – PB&J sandwich, veggies, and coffee.  Then headed back down the trail.  Nearing the Rocks, a sign indicated a ‘Y’ in the trail, one route going down the bottom of the canyon (to the Rocks), the other heading up the south side of the canyon, identified as the “Horse Bypass”. Wishing to avoid descending through the Rocks, we chose the Bypass. Here we faced a bit of a climb, then gentle descent until .. we were looking -way- down at the trail.  But, soon this Bypass took a right turn and descended to the canyon floor and the trail.  From there it was all downhill, over the dam and back to parking.

Weather was beautiful, sunny with slight breeze, cool to start and at the higher elevation, warm as we finished up. But we now have a plan for the end-to-end – Embudo up, Three Gun Springs down (and then to Roots Farm Cafe in Tijeras for lunch).

Statistics

Total Distance:  5.3 miles
Elevation: start  6,172 ft, maximum  7,424 ft,  minimum  6,172 ft
Gross gain:  1,252 ft.  Aggregate ascending  1,524 ft, descending  1,525 ft
Maximum slope: 40% ascending, 35% descending, 9.3% average
Duration: 4:37

GPS Track Files for Download
227 Downloads
54 Downloads
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.

References

City of Albuquerque:
    Sandia Foothills Open Space
    Embudo Canyon Trailhead (pdf)
ASCHG: Numerous hikes in Embudo
AllTrails: Embudo Canyon
Hiking Project:
    Embudo Canyon
    Embudo Trail
ondafringe: Day  Hike: Embudo Trailhead to 3 Gun Spring Trail, etc

Pino Trail Hike – 04/02/2019

Pino Hikes in 2012 (screenshot, click for larger image)

For this hike, Pat & I sought a trail a bit easier than last week’s hike on Three Gun Springs. We’ve hiked the Pino Trail more than once in the past – it was likely the first -real- hike we took after moving to Albuquerque in 2010. The image to the right is a screenshot with placemarks identifying the turnaround point on hikes that year.

The Hike

Pino Hike.Pat.2019-04-02

‘Twas our recollection that Pino is a gentle, continuous slope so we could get -some- elevation gain without much strain.  And the views of the northern Sandias above us and Albuquerque and the Rio Grand valley below us would reward our effort. So it was.

This day’s hike was most pleasant – a comfortable temperature (started with 3 layers, shed to 2 midway outbound), no wind, bright blue sky with some filmy clouds at times. Folks we met on the way up reported encountering snow near the top – we weren’t expecting to go that far so no problem for us.  We did go far enough to find small patches of snow in heavily shaded spots, some on the trail, but none making the trail even muddy. We stopped for our mid-hike break at a wide, sandy area, perfect to brew some coffee, and enjoy a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, carrots, and a bit of tequila.

Statistics

Total Distance:  5.38 miles
Elevation: start  6,453 ft, maximum  7,730 ft,  minimum  6,453 ft
Gross gain:  1,277 ft.  Aggregate ascending  1,454 ft, descending  1,462 ft
Maximum slope: 26% ascending, 24% descending, 9.4% average
Duration: 5:02

GPS Track Files for Download
116 Downloads
64 Downloads
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.

References

USDA Forest Service: Pino Trail 140
Sandia Mountain Hiking Guide: Pino Trail
ASCHG: Pino Trail to Crest Trail Hike
ondafringe: Day Hike: Pino Trail~Sandia Mountains
AllTrails: Pino Trail

Piedra Lisa, Del Agua, End-to-End – 05/19/2013

Posted in March 2019. One of our early hikes, checking out trails out of Placitas on the north end and from Juan Tabo Canyon on the south end.

The Hike

We had hiked from both ends of the trail: from the north on Piedra Lisa North and Del Agua, and from the south on Piedra Lisa.  We enjoyed those hikes, but waiting for us to be ready was the hike end-to-end.  And here it is, from Juan Tabo Canoyon across the Piedra Lisa ridge to the trailhead at the bottom of Del Agua Canyon..

Statistics

Total Distance:  6.50 miles
Elevation: start  6,930 ft, maximum  8,197 ft,  minimum  5,949 ft
Gross gain:  1,447  ft. Aggregate ascending  2,077 ft, descending  3,058 ft
Maximum slope: 36% ascending, 39% descending, 12.1% average
Duration: 4:49

GPS Track Files for Download
98 Downloads
236 Downloads
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.

Embudo Hike – 01/29/2014

Embudo Hike.Marlin.2014-01-29

Published March 2019. One of our early hikes, checking out trails out of Placitas, on the north end of the Sandia Mountains.

Statistics

Total Distance:  6.76 miles
Elevation: start  6,169 ft, maximum  7,906 ft,  minimum  1,169 ft
Gross gain:  1,737 ft.  Aggregate ascending  2,083 ft, descending  2,082 ft
Maximum slope: 33% ascending, 34% descending, 10.1% average
Duration: 4:47

GPS Track Files for Download
225 Downloads
62 Downloads
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.

References

USDA Forest Service: Embudo TH, Embudo Trail 193 & Horse Bypass 193A
CABQ Sandia Foothills Open Space: Foothills Trail Map – Indian School (pdf)
ASCHG: Embudo – Three Gun Spring – Embudito Hike
ondafringe:
     Day Hike: Embudo Trailhead to 3 Gun Spring Trail toOso Pass to Embudito Trailhead
     Day Hike: Whitewash/Oso Pass/3 Gun Spirng/Off-Trail Shortcut/Embudo
AllTrails: Embudo Canyon