Sandia 2005 Trip Video

Sandia Mountain looms over Albuquerque New Mexico covering the eastern sky. The mountain rises 4000 feet over the city and hosts a ski slope and the third longest tram in the worlds going from the city to Sandia Crest. The ski slope is a hit and miss deal. There is little snow in Albuquerque so they depend on snow machines and the occasional natural snow.

Unbeknownst to many of the city residents there is a wilderness with a trail system on the other side. We did this two night trip one Memorial Day weekend. Living in Tulsa, our go-to hikes were the Ozarks and Ouachita in Oklahoma and Arkansas. The prime season was September through December then February through April. January was typically too cold so we headed down to Texas. By May the temperature started getting too hot and humid so we headed west. Typically the passes in Colorado were snow bound until the 4th so New Mexico was our destination for Memorial Day. The Pecos Wilderness was always a good choice. The San Pedro Parks was great find. But Sandia? A suburb of Albuquerque?

Four of us met there and were pleasantly surprised. It is definitely wilderness and except for our night on the crest you would never know it was so close to Albuquerque. But that night was special. We had a great view of the city and city lights. It was an attraction, not a detraction.

Maybe not the first choice, but I'd go back to get in that May hike.