Cliffside Real Estate In The Sandias

Overlook just past the "cabin"

The Sandia mountains stand so tall along the eastern edge of Albuquerque, peering down at all the human-ants zipping along the roads, going from home to the store, from home to work, yadda yadda yadda. The mountains are very iconic, with such prominent features as The Shield, The Needle, Muralla Grande, and more, all visible and distinguishable from the city of Albuquerque. This is where most people go to escape the city, for even though it sits on the edge of a metropolitan area, the wilderness here is still wilderness.

View of the ridge behind (and including) The Thumb from the Crest Spur Trail

Inside this wilderness there are so many unique places, from shallow caves, to waterfalls, to mines, and even some faint remainders of old structures. Because of geocaching, I have found a lot of these places by searching for caches that others have placed near the locations. Today I decided to take my chances and head out to find the very jumbled remnants of what looks like it was a cabin in the making, and find another cache near another cliff, which I had failed to find in the past. I am going to give a big warning right now to anyone who might be interested in this hike. This is NOT on an official trail, you will be doing some very steep offtrail scrambling on and between nothing but game trails at one point. It is very near and above some grandiose cliff faces that would result in death if one were to fall off them. If you have faith in your ability to maneuver and navigate off trail in steep terrain, then go for it. However, if you have any doubts, DO NOT TAKE THE RISK.

I never see the parking lot this empty!

This hike starts at the crest house at the crest of the Sandias. To get here, follow the directions given in the "Escaping The Heat At Sandia Peak" post.

Hiking down the Crest Spur Trail

There are a number of ways to get where I was wanting to get today, but I took what looked like (and what I believe is) the easiest route. I started down the Crest Spur Trail, the connector trail with La Luz. This trailhead is located on the immediate south side of the Crest House. This trail goes all the way to La Luz, but that distance isn't necessary today. You need to pay attention going down, as it is very easy to miss the turnoff. When going down, you start at a northwest direction, the trail then quickly reaches a switchback. Keep going down until you reach the 3rd switchback from the top. From there is a very faint trail that heads northwest, which is what you're going to follow. Stay low, and follow until it reaches an incredibly steep, loose, and rocky slope. To continue, I descended down this rocky slope very slowly, sometimes using all limbs to make sure I didn't slip. This is one of the more dangerous sections, so watch your footing and balance very carefully as you work toward the bottom of the slope.

Looking up the steep, rocky slope that must be descended and ascended

When you get closer to the bottom, it appears to fork. If you follow the right fork, you can find a very faint game trail that goes north/northwest. I followed this as best as I could, though it was inevitably lost very quickly. You pass through a steep meadow, approaching a beautiful stand of aspens. Try to find the easiest route heading west/northwest through the aspens toward cliffs. If you follow the general contour of the original game trail, you will end up at a beautiful overlook, though below the "cabin."

Aspens you hike through

From this overlook, hike up but stay near the cliffs going north. As you gain some elevation, the cliffs draw farther west and a small "peninsula" forms. Go west along this formation and the tumbled logs of this "cabin" come into view. It looks like someone started to do this and then had to stop before going too far. There are other pieces of old sheets of wood lying around in the area as well.

Corner of the ''cabin"

Why anyone would start building anything on this area is a question we may never have the answer to, but looking at the views from where it sits, I can think of one possible reason! Coming out super early in the morning, there is a stillness and silence that is difficult to match later in the day. After making it, I sought after the cache. The geocache that brought me here sits a little bit farther out on the rocky lookout, very near the edge. It's listed on geocaching.com as "Lost Cabin Cache" for any of those interested.

Same logs from a different angle

Looking south from the rocky overlook by the "cabin"

Southwest corner of structure

This is an excellent place to take a snack break, admire the views, contemplate the reason for the apparent structure, and just appreciate everything that surrounds you. This is a seldom-visited part of the mountain, even thought it sits above and below two of the most popular areas. Follow the way you took back as best as you can, though you are almost guaranteed to lose the game trails again, as it is very overgrown here. Try to keep higher up to make sure you intersect the rocky slope you came down. Going back up the slope was easier than coming down, in my personal experience and opinion.

Beautiful flowers along the Crest Spur on the way back

More flowers higher up on the CST

Once at the top of the steep, rocky slope, head back south along the limestone cliff band until you reach the Crest Spur Trail to follow it back up.

Looking south from an overlook on the Crest Spur Trail

This is a relatively short hike, but it is not by any means easy. Make sure to bring a topo map (and know how to read it) with you in case you lose track of where you are. The limestone bands are always to the east, and the huge granite cliffs are always to the west. I cannot stress the importance of accurately and fairly assessing your own abilities and letting that determine how far you go. If you don't feel comfortable with going down or up anything here, then turn around. It is not worth the risk, and there is plenty more on this mountain to go enjoy. For those of you who feel it is something you can likely do and are interested in doing, get out there and go for it! There are many other geocaches along and below the crest area for those out here with that purpose. Ode To Frank Zappa was another nearby cache I tackled after this, and that one also provided spectacular views.

View from near Ode To Frank Zappa cache below the towers

Looking down the cliffs near the cache

This is a great short outing, which takes you to a new, beautiful area, while providing a bit of adventure for those who like to hike off the beaten path. I may be exaggerating the danger a bit, but I like to lean to the safe side, and not try to convince anyone to do anything beyond their personal limits. So, with that being said...I hope you've enjoyed the post! As always, don't take my word on how beautiful this area is, get out and find out for yourself! Happy trails and stay safe!

Hiking Up Into Big Rock Country On La Luz

The Thumb is a striking formation, staking its claim in upper La Cueva Canyon

Where to begin. This is a blog post I have looked forward to doing for a really long time, and now that it is here, the words to describe it (if there really are any) have slipped away. This hike is grand, striking, humbling, beautiful, exhausting, rewarding, dramatic, and a thousand other synonyms for these words and more. This hike marked a major milestone in my Sandia exploration years ago, and it exists now as a somewhat spiritual adventure for me anytime I venture out onto its path. I may be talking rather highly of it, but that is because I truly feel that this is one of the best hikes to do in the area...it is one of my favorites of all time. This hike is the famous 7.5 mile La Luz Trail.

The TH for the Tramway trail, which connects to lower La Luz

There are couple of different ways to do the La Luz trail. It goes all the way to the top tram, which makes loop hikes a possibility: you can, of course, hike the trail up and down for a 15 mile trip; You can take two cars and park one at the tram and another at the La Luz trailhead, and you can either take the tram up and hike down ($12 one way), or hike up and take the tram down; and lastly you can use the 2.5 mile Tramway Trail to connect the lower tram to the lower section of La Luz and then take the tram back down, or take the tram up and do the same hike in reverse.

Good morning, Albuquerque from the Tram Trail!

To reach the La Luz parking lot, take Tramway Blvd. (east from I-25, north from I-40) to Forest Service Rd. 333, which is at the only major curve on tramway. Travel along this Forest Service road and follow the PAVEMENT all the way to the end, following signs to La Luz parking lot. Near the end the road goes straight but changes to dirt, do not go onto the dirt road, turn right and follow the paved road all the way back to the parking lot. There is a $3 fee to park here.
To reach the Tram parking lot, take Tramway Blvd. to the only stop sign along its length at Tramway Road, turning onto Tramway Road and following it to the parking lot at the lower Tram Terminal. There is a $1 parking fee at this lot.

Looking up to the hill just north of Tower 1

When doing this hike solo, it's best to use the Tramway Trail to connect the tram terminal with the La Luz Trail. If you are with at least one other person and have another car, you can park one at each trailhead and shuttle instead of hiking the additional 2.5 miles. I did this hike solo, starting on the Tramway Trail. This is exposed hiking in the foothills, and it is uphill, so it is best to start with this trail, and the earlier in the day the better. I got out here to begin my hike at 6:30 am, with just enough time to get to La Luz before the sun started shining on me!

Looking east from the Tram Trail

The tramway trail is consistent its entire length, traveling through typical foothills terrain the whole way. It's a pretty steady hike until you get about a mile or so from the end. That last mile gets more and more uphill (this is why I avoid doing this part of the trail last, and doing it in the sun), taking you up to meet with La Luz. Though the Tram Trail is dull in comparison to La Luz, it provides gorgeous views east as it passes by Rozamiento Canyon and La Cueva Canyon and the ridges in between.

Foundation of CCC Cabin just west of the Tram Trail

The Tram trail connects about a mile up the La Luz Trail. By this point the terrain is already starting to change, with more evergreens and starting to sprinkle onto the landscape. For those who are somewhat out of shape, like myself, this is an excellent spot to take a break, rehydrate, and possibly refuel. You'll need your energy for all of the switchbacks that lie ahead of you!

Those rocks peeking up are near where the trail goes!

The lower part of the La Luz trail is pretty, but still no different than many of the neighboring trails on this side of the Sandias. However, it does provide you with excellent views of Albuquerque, Rincon Ridge, lower Juan Tabo Canyon, and far off formations like the west-side Volcanoes and Mount Taylor. The trail travels through high desert terrain, following multiple switchbacks up the steep hillsides to moderate the intensity.

Looking at La Cueva Canyon rock formations

Just after 2 miles, the trail ceases the apparently never-ending switchbacks, heading east for a brief moment toward Chimney Canyon. There is a sharp curve at Chimney Canyon that is significant (at least to me) for two reasons. First, it marks western terminus of the highly adventurous Chimney Canyon trail, which goes pretty much straight up the mountainside from here. Second, at this sharp curve, there is a small stream that flows down from Chimney Canyon, providing a brief moment of lush vegetation. Down below the trail is a small, shaded spot right next to the stream...a perfect spot for a break! The stream flows below you here down small dropoff, which can be heard from the trail nearby in heavy years.

The sun has finally come up, and it is beautifully lighting the landscape!

After leaving Chimney Canyon, the trail starts winding up again, passing around a large rock formation from which you can gain spectacular views down into La Cueva Canyon! I love to stroll over to this rock peninsula and just soak it all in. Below you is the incredibly rock La Cueva Canyon, and just east inside the canyon is a small section known as the Slot, which is a very narrow section of steep rock. In heavy, wet years you can hear waterfalls flowing below. But, alas, it was quiet on this morning.

Break spot next to small stream

This is where the water flows down below the rest area

Looking up into the massive cliffs above Chimney Canyon

The trail continues on, hugging middle La Cueva Canyon for a moment before darting away once more, following switchbacks of to the side. There are a lot of wildflowers up here in the late summer, and a ton of hummingbirds zipping around from flower to flowers! The switchbacks take you to the bottom of a formation known as The Pulpit...one of the first major formations heading into La Cueva Canyon. You can see a cool, small cave not far up on this cliff face. After a few switchbacks across the rockfall below this formation, the trail heads south to where the magic truly begins.

Looking toward the Slot in La Cueva Canyon

So many colorful wildflowers out at this time of year!

Small cave in the face of the Pulpit

Just over 4 miles up the trail, after passing the Pulpit, you round a corner and wind up at one of the most spectacular, scenic, and powerful views on the Sandias. With towering cliffs above you on the northern side of the Canyon, a ridge heading to a view of Albuquerque to the west, and the most incredible view of the Thumb. The Thumb can be seen from all along this trail, but when you reach this particular spot, it stands so powerfully, dominating the forefront of the canyon here.

Nearing the Thumb

The Thumb standing tall

This is a place of dreams

I could literally sit at this corner spot for hours, just staring up into the canyon and at the various formations. This is where I usually bust out the snacks and drinks, relaxing and letting the world behind me slip away. It's almost a spiritual experience to be here...it is the type of view/spot to make you think about your place in the universe and contemplate the beauty that exists in this world. Or maybe that's just me?

Southwest face of the Pulpit

Formation known as The Frog

From this scenic point, the travel travels east into the heart of upper La Cueva Canyon. Not far in, you'll pass a sign stating that you are 5 miles into the hike. From here, the trail goes back to it's lovely switchback nature, but this time the switchbacks travel up the rockslides below the Thumb. For the next 1-1.5 miles...you're in big rock country.

Sign at the bottom of the rockslides

Beautiful shaded forest in the bottom of the canyon

Looking up at the north/northeast face of the Thumb from the rockslides

The next mile or so is perhaps the most exhausting stretch of the hike, following the rocky switchbacks up the rockslide (I think there are 15 switchbacks going up!). There are lots of aspens along these slopes, decorating the southern part of the canyon with gold spots in the fall.  The footing along this part of the trail is not the best, so watch where you step. The trail is really well defined, it is just very rocky. Throughout this workout, however, you are rewarded with increasingly wonderful views of the towering rock formations in the canyon.

The Pulpit on the far left, followed by Yataghan, and Torreon finishing out the right side

Mexican Breakfast formation

The views of all of these formations just gets better and better as you get higher, and the trail takes you farther back still into La Cueva Canyon, becoming more forested as you near the limestone bands just below the crest. Just before you reach 6 miles into the hike, the trail departs from the rockslide and travels onto the more welcoming, soft dirt of the forest. Just after 6 miles, you reach the intersection with the Crest Spur trail. This trail takes you to the Crest House. You can take this and then take the crest trail over to the upper Tram Terminal, or you can continue on La Luz for another ~2.5 miles straight to the upper Tram.

Open skies and green ground along the Crest Spur Trail

Looking at the South Sandias from near the intersection

More wildflowers along the trail!

From this intersection, views looking toward the southern Sandias begin to open up. This view is such a drastic change from the rocky slopes in La Cueva Canyon, but it is no less dramatic. As you travel along this stretch of trail, there are points where you can see Kiwanis Cabin on the cliffs above, and incredible views of Echo Canyon and Domingo Baca Canyon below. Traveling along La Luz from here becomes much less of a workout, though the uphill battle is not yet finished.

Blocky peaks near upper Domingo Baca Canyon

Kiwanis Cabin, looking north from near the tram

Looking at the La Luz terminus at the Crest

The La Luz Trail travels up a good, maintained section of trail through the limestone bands to reach the crest. You arrive on the north side of the High Finance restaurant, a great reward if you have the money! I ended my day with another well-deserved snack on the steps by the ski-lift, admiring the views out east before purchasing my tram ticket, and taking it down to the bottom.

Ski lifts along the green green slopes of the east Sandias!

This trail is very difficult, with La Luz being 7.5 miles from the bottom to the top, and the described hike from tram to tram being ~9 miles. However, this is by far one of the most scenic and rewarding hikes on the Sandias. There are so many beautiful places to take breaks for those who need frequent ones, and it's just one of those places that really lets you feel just how small you are. This is perhaps the most popular trail on the mountain, and with good reason. Even though you are guaranteed to run into people on parts of the trail, it is mostly the bottom and the top, with the "crowds" thinning out along the middle portion of the trail. I recommend this trail to ANYONE who might be physically fit enough to do it. Even just traveling up partway can be rewarding depending where you turn around.
My words and pictures do no justice whatsoever to this hike. So as I always say, don't just take my word for it...get out and find out for yourself!

Appreciating Sacred Ground on Tomé Hill

Sculptures at the Tomé Hill Parking lot

Once more, I've decided to venture out to Los Lunas, a short drive south of Albuquerque, to hike one of the many lesser appreciated areas in this part of the Rio Grande Valley...Tomé Hill. Though dwarfed in size by the neighboring Los Lunas Hill to the west, and the Manzano Mountains to the east, Tomé Hill is sizable enough to where you can still see it from the Sandias on a clear day. It provides a short, but exhausting hike if you take the most well traveled trail on the south face.

Looking up at the hill itself

To get to Tomé Hill, travel south from Albuquerque on I-25, exiting at Los Lunas. You'll take a left and travel east on Main Street all the way to NM 47. At this stop light you will turn south onto NM47, heading towards east Belen and the small community of Tomé. From here there are a number of ways to get to the hill, the most straightforward being turning onto Tomé Hill Road, a sand road that takes you to the parking lot below the hill. You can park in the parking lot south of the sculptures, or on the gravel lot directly next to the main road.

Misleading perception of depth leads one to believe it's a moderate stroll

For such a small formation, Tomé Hill has a lot of traffic and a lot of history. Sitting atop the hill are three large crosses and a shrine, which was a result of the action of a man named Edwin Berry, a Tomé resident who built and hauled the crosses by himself to the top after his return from WWII. In centuries prior, there had been a tradition of hauling crosses up to the top on Good Friday, reenacting the passion of the Christ, but Berry was the one to permanently place the crosses and shrine, reviving the lost tradition.

Any color like this is appreciated in the desert!

To hike up this volcanic hill [don't worry, it's no longer active ;)], you can take the main, short, steep route up the south face or the longer but less steep trail from the bottom on the west side. There are various other spur trails as well, one going all around the lower part of the hill along the east and north side.

The Manzano Mts from about halfway up the south trail

Desert on the left, farm land on the right

This hill is millipede heaven, these things are everywhere!

The trail up the south side starts out relatively easy, but quickly starts to gain some ground as it turns to the northeast. From here on the trail is consistently steep the rest of the way to the top, and very rocky as well, with tons of rock covering the entire length of the trail. Just make sure to watch your footing! The higher up you go, the better the views get of the surrounding desert fields, the farmland right next to the hill, and even such far off peaks as Ladrones.

The crosses as you approach them

As you near the top, the crosses come into view. There are three permanently fixed crosses, but there are many more smaller ones that have been brought up over the years. At the shrine you can find lots of religious candles, jewelry, and even memorials to lost loved ones. Even if you are not religious, it can be rather humbling to be in a place of such significance.

Two smaller crosses, placed up here recently

Something unique about the peak of this hill, is there are almost always dozens of butterflies flying around when it is warm. There's nothing special about the vegetation up here, but they always seem to hang around. Sometimes there is an unwelcoming swarm of flies that hang around as well, though not too frequently.

Gorgeous views under the morning sun

Looking to the western trail and Los Lunas Hill off in the distance

Depending on their purpose for being here, some people stick around to worship, some to meditate, some head off on the western trail for a loop, and some go back down the way they came. Regardless of the purpose, the trail off west is definitely the more moderate, knee-friendly way back down. There are wonderful views of Los Lunas Hill, Ladrone, and the Sandias as you make your way down.

Another millipede friend :)

Stone artwork along the trail down

It's a roughly half mile hike from the peak to the bottom on the western trail, and I would guess another half mile back to the car from the western trailhead. However, it's a pleasant walk along the sand road back to the car from here, traveling alongside an irrigation ditch and farmland.

Grasshopper hiding in the vegetation along the ditch

This hill has a lot of meaning to a lot of the local residents, and out of town visitors. It is a sacred place to many, and just a beautiful outing to some. On, and the days prior to, Good Friday, people flood the roads in and around Tomé and Los Lunas, making their pilgrimage to the hill, so always be extra careful while driving through the area at this time. It's a very cool spot just sitting there, making a great, quick afternoon or morning hike for those in Los Lunas, or a short day trip for those in Albuquerque (roughly 35-40 minutes driving from ABQ). But as always, don't just take my word for it...get out and find out for yourself!

Western trail terminus