Posted in March 2019. ‘Twas a long time ago, when we were getting acquainted with the trails in the Sandia Mountains.
Statistics
Total Distance: 5.10 miles Elevation: start 6,240 ft, maximum 7,477 ft, minimum 6,240 ft Gross gain: 1,237 ft. Aggregate ascending 2,046 ft, descending 2,050 ft Maximum slope: 47% ascending, 42% descending, 12.4% average Duration: 3:59
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 started early, breakfast at Flying Star on our way to Albuquerque’s wonderful Elena Gallegos Open Space. ‘Tis close to the city, yet it is truly Open Spaces, giving one the feeling of being away from the city and close to the Sandia Mountains. In years past we’ve hiked numerous times within the Open Spaces and through it on our way to other hikes -into- the Sandias, but all some time back. ‘Tis nice to return (and to explore trails going south where we had not gone before).
We brought a map (pdf) which was good to get us started. We chose trails that would give us more than 3 miles and finish within 2 hours. As you can see, it was somewhat longer but we made the 2 hours. Like all trails, most are well used and present a comfortable track. Going transverse to the arroyos, the trails present some ups and downs; we welcomed even that small elevation gain to prepare us for more to come this spring.
The Hike
Elena Gallegos South Hike.Pat.2019-03-03
We headed south on trail Trail 366 – easy to follow. But at the intersection with Trails 366, 365, and 305a there were more tracks than trails marked on the map. In fact, throughout the hike we encountered “other trails” which we could not identify on the map nor on the GPS. So we would choose one and proceed. After some confusion, we did find ourselves on Trail 305; then in the interest of time crossed back to Trail 366 via Trail 305a.
The people of Albuquerque are very fortunate to have such marvelous Open Spaces at the edge of the city, between the city and the Sandia Mountains.
Additional notes: There is a fee for entrance to Elena Gallegos: $2 on weekends, 1$ weekdays, and $30 for an annual pass. It is very popular, for walkers, hikers, and mountain bikes, so one must be on the alert for folks coming from either direction.
Statistics
Total Distance: 4.1 miles Elevation: start 6,459 ft, maximum 6,473 ft, minimum 6,237 ft Gross gain: 222 ft. Aggregate ascending 636 ft, descending 636 ft Maximum slope: 17% ascending, 15% descending, 5.0% average Duration: 1:52
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.
One of our early hikes, checking out trails in the Sandia Heights area of Albuquerque, on the west side of the Sandia Mountains.
Statistics
Total Distance: 6.44 miles Elevation: start 6,172 ft, maximum 7,922 ft, minimum 6,171 ft Gross gain: 1,751 ft. Aggregate ascending 2,075 ft, descending 2,076 ft Maximum slope: 40% ascending, 34% descending, 11.0% average Duration: 4:29
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.
This trail is not well documented, although it is used extensively as the latter part of loop hikes, such as up Embudo Canyon or other hikes that go to the top of the Sandias.
The Hike
Whitewash Hike.Jay.2014-01-26
For us, it was basically and out-and-back hike, -up- Whitewash, then back down a slightly less strenuous down a shallow ravine. The -up- part of this hike was for us quite taxing – a quite steep slope on rough, rocky ground. Looking back on it – check that one off of our list.
Statistics
Total Distance: 3.23 miles Elevation: start 5,987 ft, maximum 7,223 ft, minimum 5,987 ft Gross gain: 1,236 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,405 ft, descending 1,403 ft Maximum slope: 39% ascending, 45% descending, 15.6% average Duration: 3:04
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.
I’m publishing this in 2018, so I don’t have fresh memory of the hike itself. But here is the usual technical data, some references, and photo galleries.
The Hike
La Luz Hike & Trail.Jay.2014-08-31
Statistics
Total Distance: 5.35 miles Elevation: start 7,010 ft, maximum 8,219 ft, minimum 7,010 ft Gross gain: 1,209 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,779 ft, descending 1,781 ft Maximum slope: 27% ascending, 27% descending, 10.0% 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.
A delayed entry into the Journal. Pat and I hiked the trails in Elena Gallegos regularly, before we struck out further from home.
Statistics
Total Distance: 2.68 miles Elevation: start 6,475 ft, maximum 6,730 ft, minimum 6,475 ft Gross gain: 255 ft. Aggregate ascending 434 ft, descending 429 ft Maximum slope: 15% ascending, 15% descending, 6% average Duration: 1:03
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.
Revisiting the ‘famous’ La Luz trail. We hiked it 4 years ago but went a bit further this time.
The Hike
La Luz Hike.Jay.2018-05-06
Highlights this day were:
Of course the views ..
across the Rio Grande Valley and the city, and
-up- to the heights of the northern Sandia Mountains, the Crest as well as other rugged formations on this west side of the mountain.
With guidance from another hiker (who has been hiking the Sandias for 40 years) a cave in a densely wooded, narrow canyon.
Jay here: This hike was a good reminder of what we like and don’t like about hiking in the Sandias, particularly as the weather gets warmer. So the good thing about it is the fantastic views. And the bad thing is that there’s no cover to speak of, so you can end up feeling like a candy bar in a wrapper on the dashboard of a hot car. The shady glade by the hard to find cave was the only relief from the heat.
Statistics
Total Distance: 7.08 miles Elevation: start 7,022 ft, maximum 8,692 ft, minimum 7,022 ft Gross gain: 1,670 ft. Aggregate ascending 2,104 ft, descending 2,104 ft Maximum slope: 41% ascending, 40% descending, 10% average Duration: 4:59
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.
Feb 2018: This is another ‘looking back’ entry in our Hiking Journal.
One of our many hikes through the Elena Gallegos Open Space and into the Sandia Mountain Wilderness on the Piño Trail.
The Hike
Pino Hike.Jay.2015-03-08
Jay here: And one of the reasons we have not been back is that this hike has a very long pre-hike component in which you walk for 20 minutes or more in open space (i.e. in the hot summer sun) before you even get close to something resembling a treeline. It’s the kind of hike where you wish there was a taxi service to get you to the starting gate.
Statistics
Total Distance: 5.5 miles Elevation: start 6,451 ft, maximum 7,729 ft, minimum 6,4551 ft Gross gain: 1,278 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,647 ft, descending 1,652 ft Maximum slope: 28% ascending, 31% descending, 9.2% average Duration: 3:54
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.
[Feb 2018: This is another ‘looking back’ entry in our Hiking Journal.]
This hike, to the crash site of a TWA airliner, is one of the ‘go to’ hikes in the Sandia Mountains. It begins in Albuquerque’s Elena Gallegos Open Space – from the parking lot head towards the Domingo Baca Trail via trails 141, 342, 230a, and 230.
The Hike
Domingo Baca-TWA Hike.Jay.2015-03-15
We entered the Sandia Mountains Wilderness Area from trail 230 and followed the well-used Baca Trail. Soon we were in the lower reaches of the canyon, which will become progressively narrower as you climb. Throughout the views of the face of Sandia Crest are stunning. About 2.25 miles into the canyon we encountered a daunting rockfall that was a challenge to overcome. By then we were near the TWA site and there was no turning back; it was only some 300 yards further. At the site, we looked about the area, finding various parts of the plane, reading the information sheet, and thinking of the passengers and crew who perished in the crash.
While we enjoyed our mid-hike break, we watched cars of the Sandia Peak Tramway pass far overhead. (One -can- see the crash site from the Tram, and if the sun angle is right see a glint of reflection from one of the aluminum panels.)
Jay here: Funny, the way I remember it, the 300 yards past the big rockfall were some of the toughest hiking we’ve ever done. You could hardly call it a trail, which underscored for me how difficult it must have been for rescuers to get to the original crash site.
Statistics
Total Distance: 7.3 miles Elevation: start 6,393 ft, maximum 8,731 ft, minimum 6,393 ft Gross gain: 2,338 ft. Aggregate ascending 2,629 ft, descending 2,630 ft Maximum slope: 59% ascending, 45% descending, 12% average Duration: 5:57
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.
[Three years later]: I had seen references to the Waterfall Hike in various places, but was unable to fine any detailed information, except the location of where it intersected with the Piedra Lisa Trail.
The Hike
Piedra Lisa South-Waterfall Hike.Marlin.2015-03-20
Undaunted, Marlin and I set out to look at the waterfall. Soon after entering the canyon, about .3 mile, it began to look like there would be rockfall blockages. We retraced our track down the canyon for about .2 mile, then headed up onto the right-hand (south) slope of the canyon. That proved to be -very- difficult – very steep slope and a lot of heavy bushwhacking. After some .3 miles we accepted defeat and headed back down. (On a subsequent hike, Jay and I found our way to the falls; see Piedra Lisa South-Waterfall.)
Statistics
Total Distance: 2.75 miles Elevation: start 6,929 ft, maximum 7,472 ft, minimum 6,929 ft Gross gain: 543 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,313 ft, descending 1,313 ft Maximum slope: 65% ascending, 63% descending, 15% average Duration: 2:52
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.
