Tag Archives: Solo

Cerro Grande Walkabout – 06/28/2024

Introduction

Having attended the Open House and Fly-In at the Los Alamos airport (KLAM), I took advantage of continuing west on NM 4 for a bit of a walkabout near Valles Caldera. We’ve hiked to the top of Cerro Grande, so I was familiar with the first half mile – an easy trail as I work towards getting back in hiking shape after nearly a year of “limited duty”.

The Drive In

To get there, from either direction on NM 4:
     East 5 miles from the entrance to Valles Caldera
     West 5 miles from the intersection of NM 4 and NM 501 (the road through Los Alamos)
Parking is on the north side of NM 4.

The walkabout

Cerro Grande Trails Walk.Solo.2025-06-28
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).

The plan was to hike as far as the slope of the trail remained gradual, knowing from experience (and checking past hikes), that at a point it would take a significant turn -up-. And I was not ready for any significant climbing. So … at half a mile, encountering an abrupt change in slow, and then a rocky surface, I turned around.

One of the great enjoyments of hiking in these mountains during the summer – flowers. I counted 14 different flowering plants during this ~mile walk; pictures of a few are above.

Wanting more, and being curious, I chose to explore a “trail” that is marked on GAIA (and on other maps). A few hundred yards from the trailhead approcimately where the map indicated, I found no sign of any trail. Curious enough, I proceeded to follow the track as it went northeast towards a canyon that goes up to a crest just north of Cerro Grande. The terrain is easy – generally flat, a few areas of small rocks, covered in tufts of calf-high grass. I continued on to the entrance to the small canyon where I found the first sign of a “trail” – evidence typical of an access road put in place decades ago. It might be worth exploring further some day.

Statistics

Total Distance: 2.18 miles
Elevation: start 8,959 ft, maximum 9,157 ft, 8,958 minimum  ft
Gross gain: 199 ft.  Aggregate ascending 336 ft, descending 335 ft
Maximum slope: 25% ascending, 25% descending, 05.2% average
Duration: 2:11, Average Speed: 1.0 mph

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

All posts for Cerro Grande

South Crest Trail Hike – 07/04/2023

With aspirations to go backpacking when I’m 80 (this year!), I assembled my tent, sleeping gear, some food and water, packed it all into my 38 liter pack, and ‘hit the trail’. I chose to hike on the South Crest Trail in the Sandia Mountains, then spend the night on the hill above our cabin, Cerrito del Llano, near Manzano.

The Drive In

The South Crest Trail begins at the Cañon Estates – Grand Enchantment Trailhead. The Trailhead is uphill from the main intersection in Tijeras; from that intersection go north as ‘tho you are getting onto I-40. But … don’t turn left; instead continue beyond the westbound entrance ramp, then turn to the right and follow Arrowhead Trail to the end where you will find a loop parking area for the Trailhead.

The Hike

South Crest Trail Hike.Solo.2023-07-04
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).

This is a well used trail – some rocky areas but generally easy treading. The slope is quite uniform, a decent workout without being strenuous. It passes through the typical juniper/piñon forest. About .6 miles from the trailhead it comes to Travertine Falls. One can go directly to the “falls”, a travertine cliff with a rivulet of water falling, then climb a steep incline up to the Crest Trail, or take a hard right below the falls, -on- the Crest Trail, to a falls overlook.

Nearing 2 miles, the trail enters ponderosa and piñon pine forest (above 7,000 feet), where the trail becomes quite easy – dirt/pine needle surface and gentler slope. Then beyond 3 miles it again becomes steeper and more rocky. At 4 miles, 3 o’clock, beginning to become weary, and knowing it was -4 miles- back to the trailhead, I made the adult choice to turn around and head downhill. ‘Twas a good choice; when I reached the trailhead I was beat.

The Camping

Since this was sort of a backpacking tryout, I planned to camp somewhere. Rather than a location along some trail (e.g. South Crest), I chose to drive to El Cerrito (our cabin site) and camp atop the hill above the cabin, Cerrito del Llano. From the cabin I navigated through the juniper forest to the hilltop, then wandered around until I found a flat, level tent site free of rocks. I set up the tent, fixed myself a ramen/chicken supper, and retired for a good nights sleep. Packed up the next morning, checked on things in the cabin, and headed to Mountainair for lunch with a good friend.

What I learned? I -can- get sufficient gear, food, and water into my pack for at least a short backpacking expedition. And I was comfortable with that load. The nearly 3 liters of water was barely sufficient, especially using half a liter for the ramen. The airpad and sleeping bag made for a good nights sleep.

Highlight

I normally carry an 18#-20# pack on our day hikes – water, stove, lunch or snacks, and miscellaneous gear: first aid kit, knife, inReach EPIRB, … With the added gear for an overnight, the pack came in at 28#. I was pleasantly surprised that once I had the pack settled, I didn’t really feel the extra weight … except that I did get more tired by the end of the hike.

Statistics

Total Distance:   7.97 miles
Elevation: start  6,553 ft, maximum  8,221 ft,  minimum  6,553 ft
Gross gain:  1,668 ft.  Aggregate ascending  2,022 ft, descending  2,022 ft
Maximum slope: 27% ascending, 24% descending, 8.2% average
Duration: 6:53, Average Speed: 1.2 mph

GPS Track Files for Download
123 Downloads
117 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

Carlito Springs-Travertine Falls-SouthCrest Trails Hike – 06/30/2023
South Crest Trail Hike – 04/02/2017
Travertine Falls-South Crest Trails Hike – 04/30/2016
South Crest Trail Hike – 08/12/2014
South Crest Trail – Faulty Loop Trail Hike – 05/05/2013
Faulty Loop Hike – 02/13/2013

References and Resources

USDA Forest Service: Crest Trail 130 – North & South
AllTrails: South Crest Trail
Dog of the Desert: South End of the Crest Trail and CCC Trail …
Hiking Project: South Crest Trail #130
Summit Post: South Crest Trail NO. 130S
Backpacker: Albuquerque, NM: Sandia Creast Trail (South)

 

Carlito Springs-Travertine Falls-South Crest Trails Hike – 06/30/2023

Carlito Springs was opened just this spring after having been closed for many years. Our friend Chris, who we meet most mornings at Java Joes, recently visited there and told us of a trail leading from the parking lot to the Travertine Trail and on to the South Crest Trail. I went to check it out.

Addenda: Another friend at Java Joes, Craig, added information about another trail. It proceeds from the road near the 2nd parking area, follows a ridge to meet up with the South Crest trail, a shorter distance than this hike. As he said, it shows up as a thin dashed line on AllTrails, and I also found it on GAIS as “Old South Crest Trail”. We will check that out one day soon.

The Drive In

Travel east on I-40 to the Tijeras exit, NM 337 southbound. Turn right at the light; 1/2 mile turn right under the I-40 overpass; a small sign will direct you to the right; 100 yards on will be another small sign directing you to turn left, up a gravel road. Continue for 1/4 mile to the first of two parking lots; I parked and hiked from here, will return another time and continue to the upper parking lot.

The Hike

Carlito Springs-Travertine Falls-South Crest Trails Hike.Solo.2023-06-30
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).

The trailhead is an opening in the fence at the head of the parking lot – easy to find. Not far from the trailhead is a trail junction – I was headed toward the South Crest trail so opted for the turn to the right, the eastern part of the Carlito Springs Loop Trail. The trail surface is generally packed dirt with a few embedded rock, and in places loose rock with a gentle climb. This is piñon/juniper territory, so not much shade.

At about 1/2 mile, the Carlito Springs Loop breaks off to the left; another 200 yards beyond there is a very short connector that dips into a ravine and up the other side to the Travertine Falls/South Crest Trail. This is a very short thin dashed line on GAIA that I missed on the way out; I continued up an “Unmaintained Trail” until, realizing my oversight, I bushwhacked back to the Travertine Falls/South Crest trail.

From there I continued up past -the- Travertine Falls (only a trickle of water flowing this day) and onto the South Crest Trail. This trail appears be used more than the Carlito Springs Loop, so it has more packed earth with again some sections of loos rock. And ‘tho still in piñon/juniper, more trees along the trail, perhaps 50%, provided some shade.

Note: At the Travertine Falls I met the nicest group of young ladies; we shared notes on trails around Albuquerque. One of them, from Portland, spoke of some day hiking the Oregon Coast Trail; that sounds like it would be a great hike, through or segments.

Some 1.8 miles into the hike, climbing above 6,800 or 7,000 feet, the trail enters the piñon/ponderosa forest where there is significantly more shade. Then 2.8 miles into the hike is the junction with the Upper Faulty trail. (We made the Crest/Faulty loop hike back in 2013 and 2014.) I continued on the Crest Trail, now a lessor slope on mostly packed earth with some ponderosa pine needles as a carpet. It became so easy going that I felt that I could go on to the top; I had hiked as far as South Sandia with Marlin back in 2014. But … realizing that today returning to the trailhead would stretch my endurance, I made the adult decision and headed back down, making it 10 miles that day.

We’ve enjoyed a wonderful spring with every kind of plant aflowering. With no rain this time of year and temperatures into the high 90s, ’tis only the cacti that are blooming: prickly pear and cholla.

Statistics

Total Distance:   6.8 miles
Elevation: start  6,439 ft, maximum  7,756 ft,  minimum  6,423 ft
Gross gain:  1,333 ft.  Aggregate ascending  1.721 ft, descending  1.736 ft
Maximum slope: 25% ascending, 24% descending, 8.4% average
Duration: 4:29

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

Tijeras Canyon Hikes
South Crest Trail Hikes
Faulty Trail Hikes

References and Resources

Bernalillo County: Carlito Springs Open Space
Dog of the Desert: Carlito Springs Open Space
ASCHG: Carlito Springs Open Space Hike
AllTrails: Carlito Springs Loop
Yelp: Carlito Springs

Hawk Watch Loop – 04/07/2022, 04/17/2022

The trails in Tijeras Canyon, like Hawk Watch, are favorites – close to home, just challenging enough to keep our physical condition, and nice scenery too. Because it is so close to the city (but not -in- the city), I’m placing this and others in Tijeras Canyon in the Category ‘Suburban’ hikes.

Today, as I will sometimes do, I did this hike solo. On other occasions, Pat & I will take a morning and do a -suburban- hike to stretch our legs (and whole body) as is the case for the 2nd hike in this BLOG post. Thru these we get more exercise than we get for our -urban’ hikes, like our walks in the Bosque.

The Drive In

The reach the trailhead, go east on NM 333 from Tramway Blvd for about 3.25 miles, then turn left onto Monticello Drive. Proceed uphill .5 miles, turn left onto Alegre Dr (there has been a sign pointing to the trailhead), then take the 2nd street to the right (another sign) onto Tres Pistolas Trail; continue to the parking lot for the Tres Pistolas Trailhead. Hike up the Tres Postolas Trail (also labeled Three Gun Springs Trail, No. 194) for about .5 miles; a few feet beyond the gate into the Sandia Mountain Wilderness, turn right and downhill onto the Hawk Watch Trail (No. 215). Enjoy this downhill stretch – from here Hawk Watch goes -uphill-.

The Hikes

Hawk Watch Loop.Solo.2022-04-07
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).

The 1st hike, solo: I went out to hike Hawk Watch, but at the trailhead chose to explore other routes. Rather than proceeding up the main trail, from the parking area I angled off to the right (east) on what appeared to be a trail. I soon found myself in a wash, following tracks that gave me the idea it was a trail. And so it was; about 1/3 mile on, I turned onto a trail to the right anticipating that it would ultimately take me up to the Hawk Trail. So it did; the trail proceeded up hill (200′ in half a mile) and intersected with Hawk Watch. I continued from there 1.3 miles until the slope of the trail became very steep (and slippery on a sand/gravel surface) where I became uncomfortable and decided I had come far enough.

On the way down, I began looking for an alternate trail on which I might return to parking. From a higher vantage point, I had seen trails on ridges south of Hawk Watch that held promise for such an alternate route. Returning 8/10th of a mile I came across a trail to the left, so I took it. Along the way I maintained my bearings, choosing trails at a couple of intersections that seemed promising, and they did lead me right back to the Tacoma.

Hawk Watch Loop Hike.Pat.2022-04-17
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).

The 2nd hike, with Pat: This hike was appealing to us for one of our daily “walks”, or hikes. It offers a nice distance (that is, time spent on the hike) and some elevation gain which we need in preparation for hikes later this year, like Mount Taylor in May. So, it served our purposes nicely, and as a bonus provides great views of the Three Gun Springs canyon, the side of South Sandia Mountain, and even out across the plains to the southwest. A great “suburban” hike.

Statistics

The 1st Hike (solo):
Total Distance:  3.55 miles
Elevation: start  6,321 ft, maximum  7,699 ft,  minimum 6,321 ft
Gross gain: 1,378 ft.  Aggregate ascending 1,464 ft, descending 1,464 ft
Maximum slope: 45% ascending, 44% descending, 14% average
Duration: 3:18

The 2nd Hike (w/ Pat):
Total Distance:  1.8 miles
Elevation: start  6,321 ft, maximum  6,844 ft,  minimum 6,321 ft
Gross gain: 514 ft.  Aggregate ascending 560 ft, descending 571  ft
Maximum slope: 35% ascending, 32% descending, 11% average
Duration: 1:07

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

Hawk Watch Trail Hike – 10/27/2019
Hawk Watch Hike – 03/16/2014
Hawk Watch Hike – 04/27/2013
Hawk Watch Hike – 02/15/2011
All Tijeras Canyon and Vicinity Hikes

References and Resources

HawkWatch International: Manzano Mountains, NM
ASCHG: Hawk Watch Hike
SummitPost: Hawk Watch Trail
City of Albuquerque: Foothills Trail Map – Copper (.pdf)
And check other Related Posts

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

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.

Cumbres Pass/CDT South Hike – 08/13/2021

This was the 2nd hike was during a 5 day camping trip to Northern New Mexico. We set up the R-Pod at Heron Lake for 4 nights. While Pat attended a 3 day workshop in Chama on dyeing wool, I drove up to Cumbres Pass for a hike on the Continental Divide Trail. The day before, I had hiked the CDT north from Cumbres Pass.

The Drive In

See the description for the CDT North Hike.

The Hike

Cumbres Pass CDT South Hike. 2021-08-13

The trail begins from the parking area on the right side of CO 17 at the top of Cumbres Pass. As yesterday for the CDT North hike, my timing was good – the Cumbres and Toltec passenger train was parked at the station, preparing to continue on to Antonito.

As it was for the CDT North, the trail is well used, smooth ground bordered by very green grasses with an abundance of flowers. From just under 10,000 feet elevation, the trail climbs a couple of hundred feet in the first half mile, then descends a bit on the top of a ridge for 3/4 mile.  The views are spectacular, to the west towards Chama down the Wolf Creek valley. For the next 1.25 miles the trail climbs close to 500 feet, up to 10,469 feet elevation. Most of the distance is in open grassland with parcels of forest along the way.

Nearing the trailhead on the return, I looked down upon the Cumbres & Toltec RR siding to see a service train heading back to Chama.

 

Highlight

Amazing views, across green grasslands with flowers in bloom everywhere, to distant hills and mountains.

Statistics

Total Distance:  7.98 miles
Elevation: start  9,966 ft, maximum  10,469 ft,  minimum 9,964 ft
Gross gain: ft.  505 Aggregate ascending 1,662 ft, descending 1,664 ft
Maximum slope: 26% ascending, 27% descending, 06.5% average
Duration: 4:41

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

Hikes around Cumbres Pass

References and Resources

GAIA GPS:  Continental Divide Trail
MTB Project: CDT: Cumbres Pass to lagunitas (NM Section 31)

Mitla Caves Hike – 01/18/2020

The first trip to the mountains and hiking on this year’s visit to Oaxaca. While Pat attended a cooking class in Oaxaca City, I joined a group from the Oaxaca Lending Library (OLL) for an excursion to visit prehistoric caves near Mitla. From information provided by our guides and subsequent research, the caves we visited along with others in the vicinity provide a fascinating story of -very ancient- times, as long as 10,000 years ago.

The Drive In

Trips from the OLL begin at their location on the outskirts of Oaxaca City’s historic central district. Boarding a 16 passenger van, we drove southeast into the Tlacolula Valley to the village of Mitla (formally San Pablo Villa de Mitla), about 25 miles. From there we passed through the village and another three miles through arid sandy/rocky terrain towards the foothills of the Sierra Norte.

The Hike

Mitla Caves Hike.Solo.2020-01-14

Parking just off the highway, we were met by local Zapotec guides and began the hike on a quite rocky two-track that followed a dry wash towards the first hill, the edge of the Sierra Norte. Some .7 miles along, we were directed up the side of this hill following a steep tho’ well established trail (with stairs in some places).

In less that 100 yards, we were introduced to the first two of the four caves to be visited that day. The geology of the area is entirely of volcanic origin, so the caves would seem to be voids in the lava flow, opening in the nearly vertical side the deep arroyo. In this cave the guide told us there is evidence of habitation from 10,000 years ago. Among other seeds, an ancient type of corn was found in these caves. The tiny ears, which  aren’t found to exist today, were subjected to carbon dating to determine their date. (Other reference sources, some listed below, substantiate the claim. When asked about further scientific or archeological studies in these caves, the guides told us no serious work has yet been done.)

Continuing on upward, we visited the 3rd cave which had a few symbols painted in red on the walls; we were told to expect more paintings in the 4th cave.  And we were not disappointed – the walls of this 4th cave were lined with numerous paintings. The group had great fun (with the help of the guides) trying to interpret the images, to imagine what they might have meant to the people who made them.

Being careful on the steep, rocky, sometimes slippery trail, we returned to the van and to Oaxaca City.

Statistics

Total Distance:  2.26 miles
Elevation: start  5,631 ft, maximum 5,964 ft,  minimum 5,631 ft
Gross gain:  333 ft.  Aggregate ascending 1,255 ft, descending 1,261 ft
Maximum slope: 40% ascending, 39% descending, 9.3% average
Duration: 2:07

GPS Track Files for Download
90 Downloads
82 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

UNESCO: Prehistoric Caves of yagul and Mitla in the Central Valley of Oaxaca
                   Yagul and Mitla in the Central Valley of Oaxaca (Mexico) (PDF)
Latin America & Caribbean Geographic: Prehistoric Caves of Yagul and Mitla …
Andrew Lawler: The Oldest Ritual

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

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)

Hawk Watch Trail Hike – 10/27/2019

This was a return to a trail that always intrigues me – one that someday I hope to take to the top of South Sandia peak. It is so close at hand – just beyond Tramway (the eastern boundary of Albuquerque) in Tijeras Cañon. I look up at the trail almost every time I drive out to Tijeras. I’ve hiked up Hawk Watch in the past with Jay and with Pat (see References below), ‘tho the last time was 2014; descriptions were sparse so I’ll present more details here.

The Drive In

The reach the trailhead, go east on NM 333 from Tramway Blvd for about 3.25 miles, then turn left onto Monticello Drive. Proceed uphill .5 miles, turn left onto Alegre Dr (there has been a sign pointing to the trailhead), then take the 2nd street to the right (another sign) onto Tres Pistolas Trail; continue to the parking lot for the Tres Pistolas Trailhead. Hike up the Tres Postolas Trail (also labeled Three Gun Springs Trail, No. 194) for about .5 miles; a few feet beyond the gate into the Sandia Mountain Wilderness, turn right and downhill onto the Hawk Watch Trail (No. 215). Enjoy this downhill stretch – from here Hawk Watch goes -uphill-.

The Hike

Hawk Watch Trail Hike.Solo.2019-10-27.jpg

The trail is is used enough that it is easy to follow, except – at the bottom of the arroyo a hundred years after leaving Tres Pistolas, you may be drawn to turn left (up the arroyo); — don’t –, continue generally straight ahead to stay on Hawk Watch (Jay and I took that wrong turn back in 2013). The surface is sometimes loose gravel/small rocks, but also easy to tread upon. The trail gets gradually more and more steep as it ascends; it became steep enough after the 3rd outcrop of very large rocks that I decided I’d gone far enough, on this solo hike, and found a sheltered place for my mid-hike break, then headed back down.

Highlights

Memorable from prior hikes: formations of very large rocks through which the trail passes. I set out to attempt to identify them, so as to get an idea just how far up the mountain I have hiked, to see it from the bottom of Tijeras Cañon. I’m still not confident that I can pick out those outcrops, from the photos that I took or looking from the highway; the various outcrops that are visible just aren’t distinctive enough. My goal is to someday go to the top; maybe one day to hook up with the Hawk Watch International folks as a guide. (‘Tho, the Forest Service descriptions describes Hawk Watch as a “.. dead end trail.”; their map shows it ends about where I turned back.)

Statistics

Total Distance:  3.66 miles
Elevation: start  6,322 ft, maximum  7,633 ft,  minimum  6,322 ft
Gross gain:  1,311 ft.  Aggregate ascending  1,422 ft, descending  1,435 ft
Maximum slope: 44% ascending, 39% descending, 14.2% average
Duration: 3:53

GPS Track Files for Download
191 Downloads
105 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

USDA Forest Service: Hawk Watch Trail 215
ASCHG: Hawk Watch Hike
AllTrails: Hawkwatch Trail
                 Three Guns Spring Trail Loop
Sandia Mountain Hiking Guide: Hawk Watch Trail
New Mexico Meanders: 2017-02-25 South Sandia Peak Loop                                                          (Hawk Watch up, Crest, Tres Pistolas down)
YouTube: Hiking The Sandia Mountains – Hawk Watch Trail to Crest Trail
Past hikes:  Hawk Watch Hike – 02/15/2011
                           (shows the trail to the top, with a placemark for the extent of our hike)                       Hawk Watch Hike – 04/27/2013
                      Hawk Watch Hike – 03/16/2014

During the spring and summer, there are so many colors to be seen on our hikes, the many flowers a’blooming. But even as winter approaches, plants are taking on their winter coats, nearly as colorful as during the summer.