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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
[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.
Eye of the Sandias is a trail very close to Albuquerque, with the trailhead at the eastern end of Copper Road. ‘Tis an area of numerous trails, well used by neighbors and visitors to this part of Albuquerque’s Open Space. Many of the trails are in this area are quite easy, with solid sand/gravel surface, none to some elevation gain, and only a few steep sections. The Eye of the Sandia trail is not marked on the Open Space maps, but makes a great extension of those trails. And .. the namesake for the trial is an “eye” painted on a rock at the top of the trail. The views of the city are awesome (although it is close to I-40 so one can hear the noise of the highway).
The Hike
Eye of the Sandias Hike.Marlin.2015-12-10
Statistics
Total Distance: 3.11 miles Elevation: start 5,935 ft, maximum 6,883 ft, minimum 5,935 ft Gross gain: 948 ft. Aggregate ascending 1,093 ft, descending 1,105 ft Maximum slope: 42% ascending, 42% descending, 13% average Duration:
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 was my first backpacking trip since high school – one overnight on the crest of the Manzano Mountains. And with Marlin who has backpacking experience – great help with logistics and confidence. (Updated later – in 2019.)
We began at the Red Canyon Campground, going up the Spruce Spring Trail. The trail is well used, with dirt and some rock, and presents a steady climb with switchbacks to get from 8,000 ft to 9,200 ft elevation in 4.23 miles. The trail is generally in a ponderosa pine forest, with occasional openings providing views across the Salinas Valley to the east. Near the top the trail passes near the Spruce Spring which offers a source of water for those on a longer trek than ours.
The trail tops out where in intersects the Manzano Crest Trail, which runs the length of the Manzano Mountains. And here is a nice, large meadow, open space great for setting up a simple campsite for the night. As a nice touch there is also a built-up rock fireplace, great for making a small fire to stave off the cool temperatures of the evening. We enjoyed a very nice stew that Marlin had prepared and frozen in advance – what a treat – thanks, Marlin.
The Hike Down
‘Twas a chilly morning, but after a warm breakfast and breaking camp, we set out southbound on the Manzano Crest Trail. We faced a bit of a climb up on the shoulder of Gallo Peak (topped out at 9,751 ft, Gallo is just over 10,000 ft) before descending to the intersection with the Red Canyon Trail. The trail was a bit difficult to find at first, but on track like Spruce Spring, it was easy going, a steady descent with a few switchbacks. About half way down we came upon running water, small waterfalls, and later a larger waterfall to add some interest to the hike. ‘Twas an easy descent back to the Campground.
Statistics
Up via Spruce Spring Trail Total Distance: 4.29 miles
Elevation: start 8,042 ft, maximum 9,201 ft, minimum 8,008 ft
Gross gain: 1,159 ft Aggregate ascending 2,323 ft, descending 1,162 ft
Maximum slope: 49% ascending, 48% descending, 14% average
Duration: 3:03
Down via Manzano Crest and Red Canyon Trails Total Distance: 3.87 miles
Elevation: start 9,342 ft, maximum 9,747 ft, minimum 7,931 ft
Gross gain: 1,411 ft Aggregate ascending 781 ft, descending 2,191 ft
Maximum slope: 43% ascending, 43% descending, 12% average
Duration: 3:05
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.
