Category Archives: 2014

NoName Hike – 01/12/2014

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

The Hike 

This was our second hike up NoName Trail, a canyon east of Del Agua Canyon and the Piedra Lisa Trail. We dubbed this Trail “NoName” because we have been unable to find it published anywhere.

Statistics

Total Distance:  3.18 miles
Elevation: start  6,089 ft, maximum  7,091 ft,  minimum  6,089 ft
Gross gain:  1,002 ft.  Aggregate ascending  1,203 ft, descending  1,204 ft
Maximum slope: 44% ascending, 40% descending, 12.7% average
Duration: 2:33

GPS Track Files for Download
227 Downloads
46 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.

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
224 Downloads
61 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

Faulty Loop Hike – 02/13/2013

Faulty Loop Hike.Marlin.2014-02-13

Posted in March, 2019. One of our early hikes, checking out trails in Tijeras Canyon, on the souoth end of the Sandia Mountains.

Statistics

Total Distance:  5.51 miles
Elevation: start  6,550 ft, maximum  7,658 ft,  minimum  6,550 ft
Gross gain:  1,108 ft.  Aggregate ascending  1,482 ft, descending  1,482 ft
Maximum slope: 29% ascending, 29% descending, 8.7% average
Duration: 3:39

GPS Track Files for Download
97 Downloads
177 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: Faulty Trail 195
ASCHG:
     Armijo Canyon – Faulty – Sulphur Canyon Loop Hike
     South Peak Via Forest Park, Faulty, Larry’s and Crest Trails Hike
ondafringe: Day Hike: Canyon Estates Trailhead to Embudito Trailhead
AllTrails: Faulty Trail #195: Route 536 to South Crest Trail #130

Embudito Trail Hike – 02/15/2014

Embudito Hike.Jay.2014-02-15

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

GPS Track Files for Download
91 Downloads
134 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: Embudito Trailhead & Embudito Trail 192
City of Albuquerque, Albuquerque Open Space: Foothills Trail Map – Embudito (pdf)
ASCHG:
      Oso Ridge-Embudito Loop Hike
      Embudo-Three Gun Spring-Embudito Hike
ondafringe: Day Hike: Embudito Trail to Oso Pass~ …
AllTrails: South Sandia Peak via Embudito Trail #192

For more hikes, and links for this one, visit our Journal – Hiking in New Mexico

Coyote Trail Hike – 03/08/2014

The Manzanita Mountains, just south of Tijeras, seem to be a good place for some hiking – close to home, easy to get to.  Those are true, but the territory and the trails are not great.  The “forest” is mostly scraggly juniper and piñon pine and the terrain and trails are quite rocky.  Not my favorite.

The Hike

Coyote Hike.Marlin.2014-03-08

Statistics

Total Distance:  5.07 miles
Elevation: start  6,620 ft, maximum  6,723 ft,  minimum  6,544 ft
Gross gain:  179 ft.  Aggregate ascending  841 ft, descending  842 ft
Maximum slope: 20% ascending, 20% descending, 5.3% average
Duration: 2:51

GPS Track Files for Download
183 Downloads
55 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:  Coyote TH, Coyote Trls 05620, 05619, 05851, FR 462
ASCHG: Coyote Trail Hike
AllTrails: Chamisoso and Coyote Trails
MTB Project: Coyote Trail (Trail 5619)
Ride with GPS: East Mountains Coyote Trail – FR462 MTB

NoName Bushwhack to Piedra Lisa – 03/09/2014

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

This is what bushwhacking was like.

Looking for a “new adventure”, I came up with the idea of hiking up NoName, then heading cross-country, bushwhacking, over to Piedra Lisa.  Using GoogleEarth, I layed out a route that looked reasonable – crossing over intervening canyons where it appeared the slopes would be manageable. 

The Hike

Overall, I would say

NoNameBushWhackPiedraLisa.WhackTrail.Jay.2014-03-09
[Red section is bushwhacking from NoName to Piedra Lisa trails.]

the route was as good as could be, but none the less a good challenge.  Challenging not only because we had up and down slopes, but were required to find our way through the juniper and other “shrubs” – real bushwhacking.

BTW, you won’t find NoName referenced elsewhere.  Back in 2013, we were looking for alternatives to the usual trails and chose this canyon, the next one east of Piedra Lisa.  We enjoyed that hike, needed to identify it for ourselves, thus — NoName.

Statistics

Total Distance:  4.25 miles
Elevation: start  6,086 ft, maximum  7,086 ft,  minimum  6,057 ft
Gross gain:  1,290 ft.  Aggregate ascending  1,717 ft, descending  1,716 ft
Maximum slope: 48% ascending, 41% descending, 12.0% average
Duration: 3:43

GPS Track Files for Download
309 Downloads
50 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.

Hawk Watch Hike – 03/16/2014

Posted in March 2019.  One of our early hikes, checking out trails in Tijeras Canyon on the south end of the Sandia Mountains. Haven’t hiked this trail since 2014 – it’s time to do it again.

The Hike

Hawk Watch.Jay.2014-03-16

Hawk Watch Trail makes for a good hike, close to Albuquerque and easy to get to the trailhead.  It is great in the winter – it is in full sun so snow melts quickly and it will be warm on chilly days; then again, not so good in the summer because it will be hot.  The trail is well used, so the surface is good – a bit rocky in some places – and as you can see from the statistics it give one a good elevation gain at a fairly steep slope.  But the views are great as one gets up high. 

Statistics

Total Distance:  4.38 miles
Elevation: start  6,322 ft, maximum  8,037 ft,  minimum  6,320 ft
Gross gain:  1,717 ft.  Aggregate ascending  2,095 ft, descending  2,096 ft
Maximum slope: 51% ascending, 45% descending, 16.3% average
Duration: 3:48

GPS Track Files for Download
88 Downloads
111 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: Hawk Watch Trail 215
Hawk Watch International: Sandia Mountains, NM HawkWatch
ASCHG: Hawk Watch Hike
New Mexico Meanders: 2017-02-25 South Sandia Peak Loop Hike
AllTrails: Hawkwatch Trail SummitPost: Hawk Watch Trail

North Crest- Ojo del Orno Hike – 03/23/2014

Posting this in March 2019.

This hike begins at the Tunnel Springs Trailhead, then up the North Crest Trail (#130) and down the Ojo del Orno Trail (#130B).

The Hike

NorthCrest-DelOrno Hike.Jay.2014-03-23

I remember this as a challenging hike, with elevation gain, distance, and some difficult terrain, particularly the descent down Ojo del Orno Canyon.  And there was  one section, descending into the Canyon where the trail was narrow with -very- steep slopes above and below.  We paused for our mid-hike coffee break just prior beginning the descent; then navigated the narrow section, maybe some 150 yards.  From there to the head of the canyon the trail continued to be on a steep slope.

Statistics

Total Distance: 4.54 miles
Elevation: start  6,382 ft, maximum  7,413 ft,  minimum  6,250 ft
Gross gain:  1,163 ft.  Aggregate ascending  1,735 ft, descending  1,736 ft
Maximum slope: 42% ascending, 46% descending, 9.5% average
Duration: 3:31

GPS Track Files for Download
111 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

USDA Forest Service:
       Sandia Mountain Trails (pdf)
      Tunnel Spring Trailhead & North Crest Trail 130
ASCHG:
     Sandia Crest Trail North Hike
     Del Orno – N Crest – Agua Sarca Loop Hike
Get Outside, Albuquerque: Huffing And Puffing Up The Ojo Del Orno Route
Sandia Mountain Hiking Guide: “… Ojo del Orno Trail …” (exerpt)
AllTrails:
     North Crest and Del Orno Loop
     North Crest Trail
Backpacker:  Albuquerque, NM: North Crest Trail to Ojo del Orno Canyon

El Malpais-Narrows Rim Hike – 03/26/2014

One of our early hikes, checking out trails around Grants, NM. This summary is posted from memory; it took place before I began this Hiking BLOG. This was such a nice hike with friend Vince. I think my memory will bring back some particulars.

Statistics

Total Distance:  7.65 miles
Elevation: start  7,078 ft, maximum  7,437 ft,  minimum  7,078 ft
Gross gain:  359 ft.  Aggregate ascending  1,975 ft, descending  1,974 ft
Maximum slope: 29% ascending, 30% descending, 7.4% average
Duration: 5:24

GPS Track Files for Download
191 Downloads
58 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

BLM: Narrows Rim (pdf)
ExploreNM: Narrows Rim Trail
New Mexico Meanders: 2017-07-02 The Narrows Rim Trail
AllTrails: Narrows Rim Trail
Only in Your State:
     The Best New Mexico Hike You’ve Never Heard Of But Need To Take
Stav is Lost: Hike Narrows Rim Trail

Embudo Canyon Hike – 03/30/2014

Embudo Canyon Hike.Jay.2014-03-30

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

GPS Track Files for Download
86 Downloads
67 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 and Horse Bypass 193A
City of Albuquerque:
     Sandia Foothills Open Space
     Embudo Canyon Trailhead (pdf)
AllTrails: Embudo Canyon
ASCHG:
     Embudo – Three Gun Spring – Embudito
     Embudo Loop
     Embudo to Three Gun Spring Hike
ondafringe: Day Hile: Embudo Trailhead to 3 Gun Spring Trail to Oso Pass to Embudito Trailhead~Sandia Mountains~Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA