Sandia Mountians Hiking Adventures

Education Through Observation

2017 (updated May 25)

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. – Psa 90:2 

Day-hikes for youth and adults capable of hiking about six hours in moderate mountain terrain.  Group size limited to 20 people.  Please RSVP - mark@nmsciencefoundation.org.

Bring water, hat, snacks, and lunch.  Bring poncho in case of rain on the trail.  Most of the trails are sheltered by trees and pace will be easy.  Hikes may be cancelled for inclement weather (five day forecast) or fire restrictions (Sandia Ranger District).  Look for cancellations posted on this website or call 505 609-9609 if in doubt.

• Hiking prep - Sandia Mtns

• Hiking prep - get in shape

Be sure to RSVP if planning to hike.

Hikes may be cancelled due to inclement weather or fire restrictions

• Jun 17, 2017

  • Theme: Father's Day

  • Departure: Elena Gallegos, Pino Trail Parking Area ($2 fee per car)

  • Destination: 1955 TWA aircraft wreck in TWA Canyon

  • Area: Variety of vegetation as hikers ascend from desert to lush forest.  Add a rock to the rock house.  Watch out for heavy poison ivy along creek bed in Dominga Baca Canyon.  
    Share some praise & worship at Worship Rock.  Enjoy peaceful Aspen Grove waterfall.  Conquer the rock wall.

  • Departure Time: 8am (approx 6 hours round trip or make it a day)

• July 15, 2017

  • Theme: Landmarks in life

  • Departure: Spain Trailhead Parking Area (east end of Spain) (free parking)

  • Destination: 1941 A-17 aircraft wreck in Bear Canyon

  • Special equipment: bring gloves to protect hands from brush and rocks

  • Bring lunch.  Hot dogs provided for dinner.  Rest at Teepee until evening.  Then hike out.  
    Bring a book, a game, or just share a story.  Plan to make it a day.  

  • Area: Spectacular view of entire Bear Canyon and pristine hiking along creek bed.  View massive 50' rock monument.

  • Departure Time: 8am (approx 6 hours round trip or make it a day)

• Sat, Aug 19, 2017

  • Theme: Navigation through life

  • Departure: Canyon Estates Trailhead Parking Area (north of Tijeras) (free parking)

  • Destination: 1964 Piper Commanche PA24 aircraft near Hondo Canyon - bring a GPS and practice finding coordinates

  • Area: Continuous tree cover from the beginning of the hike and visit to the Travertine Waterfall and cave. Hike a portion of the CCC trail named for the Civilian Conservation Corps who constructed the trail in the 1930s. Look for the history marker on the CCC trail.

  • Departure Time: 7:30am (approx 6 hours round trip)

• Mon, Sep 4, 2017 (Labor Day)

  • Theme: Pro 25:4  Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.            http://www.higherpraise.com/lyrics1/RefinersFire2.htm

  • Departure: Doc Long Picnic Area (Hwy 536) (free parking)

  • Destination: Smelter Ruins

  • Area: Barro Canyon, North Mystery Trail, Tecolote Canyon

  • Departure Time: 9am (approx 3 hours round trip)

• Sat, Oct 14, 2017

  • Theme: www.laluztrail.com

  • During Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

  • Departure: La Luz trailhead

  • Destination: Tram
    http://sandiapeak.com/index.php?page=tram-hours-of-operation

  • Area: Hike thru four different life zones

  • Departure Time: 9am (approx 6 hours to the tram)
    (drive from base of tram to trailhead end of day)

• Sat, Nov 18, 2017

  • Theme: Psa 104:10  He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.

  • Departure: Montecello Parking Area (free parking)

  • Carnuel exit off I-40, 1.5 mi east on old 66
    look for brown hiking sign into Montecello subdivision, north to trailhead

  • Destination: Three Gun Springs (Tres Pistoles), aircraft wreck, & geocaches

  • Area: Easy trail to the springs. Legend that three Spanish Conquistador pistols were found near the springs. Difficult terrain from springs to wreck (gloves are essential)

  • Extra: Accomplish Scouting Orienteering Merit Badge

  • Departure Time: 9am (approx 6 hours round trip)

• Sat, Dec 23, 2017

  • Departure: Carlito Springs trailhead (just west of Tijeras)

  • Area: 100 years historic village (TB treatment sanitorium)

  • Departure Time: 9am (2 mile loop)
    (Maybe a snow storm for a white Christmas?)

• Sat, Jan 21, 2017 (rescheduled for Feb 3 due to weather)

  • Theme: Isa 60:13  The fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary.

  • Departure: Elena Gallegos, Pino Trail Parking Area ($2 fee per car)

  • Destination: Pino Canyon, locate the airplane crash marker

  • Area: Pino means Pine in Spanish; Spruce and fir dominate the high country

  • Extra: Bring some marshmallows for roasting

  • Departure Time: 9am (approx 4 hours round trip)

• Sat, Feb 18, 2017 (Movie Trail) (rescheduled for Feb 25)

Theme: Lonely are the Brave
Trail closed Mar 1 to Aug 15 every year

            Departure: Piedra Lisa Trailhead (N of La Luz)

            Destination: Lonely are the Brave Geocache

Area: Trail is steep at times and difficult to see, but GPS allows easy tracking

Special Treat: extensive footage of the Sandias in the movie

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056195/locations 

Departure Time: 9am (approx 6 hours round trip)

·        Sat, Mar 18, 2017 – (Faulty - End to End, North to South)

Theme: How far can you hike? 
Departure: Doc Long Picnic Area

            Destination: Canyon Estates Parking Area

Area:  Long hike but easy terrain; 800' drop in elevation over 14 miles

Special Treat: Look for wreckage of most recent crash (Nov 2015)

Bring stories, jokes, songs - whatever it takes to keep moving

Departure Time: 8am (approx 10 hours)

·        Sat, Apr 15, 2017 – (Post Pass)

Theme: Over the mountain
Departure: Three Gun Spring (Monticello Parking Area)

            Destination: Embudo Canyon Parking Area (Indian School) 

Area: Steady climb to Post Pass, then downhill to Embudo Spring

Departure Time: 9am (approx 4 hours)

·        Sat, May 20, 2017 – (Family 50)

Theme: Stop and Smell the Roses (Mac Davis, 1974)
Departure: Smith’s Parking Lot (Central & Tramway)

            Destination: 50 mile loop bicycle ride around Albuquerque 

Area: City of Albuquerque working on connecting all the pieces. Most of ride on bike trails, lanes, and routes. Route modified to use bike routes on the southern end (Cesar Chavez, Santa Clara, Kathryn, Southern).

Departure Time: 9am (approx 6 hours)