Great
Cub Scout Hikes in the Albuquerque Area
(Under
Construction)
By Dave Bregar
All of the hikes in this guide are within a one hour or less drive from Albuquerque. Most of these hikes (or portions) are an easy walk, suitable for young boys ages 7-12.
We
are so fortunate to live in an area that affords us the opportunity to explore a
varied palette of hiking areas: Desert,
bosque, grasslands, mountains, and wilderness.
All of these are within a short drive from the metro area, and offer the
young hiker an adventure at every turn of the trail! But before we sally forth, there are several reminders that
young and old hikers alike must heed:
WATER – Hydrate or Die!
New Mexico is a very arid area, and we must be prepared for this.
Always carry water with you, even in the city limits!
And carry more than you think will be necessary! How much?
1 – 2 quarts per person is usually sufficient.
You can find water along some of the trails described in this guide, but
unless you have the proper filtration equipment and the training to use it, do
not plan to drink any water from any ground water source that you may find. Failure to follow this rule may result in illness, and in
some cases, death.
WEATHER – New
Mexico is blessed with some of the best weather in the United States!
But when we venture out into the out-of-doors, we must be prepared for
the rapid changes in weather that this area is famous for.
In one summer day you can experience balmy breezes, scorching heat, heavy
downpours, high winds, and even snow! Always
carry a light jacket or sweater, and some sort of rain protection. When it rains, the temperature will drop, and this is an
ideal setting for hypothermia, a very dangerous malady.
ALTITUDE – The
trails listed within this guide will be from 5,000 to over 10,000 feet in
elevation. Usually this is not a
problem for young boys, but some of the adult leaders might experience breathing
problems at higher elevations. If
you find yourself having a hard time catching your breath, or experience
headaches, take a break, try aspirin, or return to a lower elevation.
BEING LOST, AND
GETTING FOUND – Every year, the local search and rescue teams are called out
time after time to find a lost hiker in the mountains.
Teach your boys to stay together with your group.
If they do become separated and lost, train them the “Hug a Tree”
method of staying in one place, and urge them not to panic. (Easier said than
done). A whistle in their pocket or
hung around their neck is a great tool to ONLY be used in an emergency!
Always stay on the trail, and your chances of getting lost are greatly
reduced!
ANIMALS – When we venture into the desert, bosque, or mountains, we are entering the home of numerous animals. Usually, they welcome us into their homes by hiding from us. Sometimes, though, they will defend their area with whatever weapons they have. Teach your young charges to watch these creatures from a distance, and please, don’t pet the rattlesnakes!
Please Note: Maps coming soon!
Desert / Grasslands Areas
Hike #1
Petroglyph National Monument
Rating – Easy
Petroglyph National Monument is an area within the basalt
escarpment that lies to the west of Albuquerque and the Rio Grande.
The main attraction of the monument is the prehistoric Native American
rock art, or petroglyphs, that abound on the volcanic rocks and walls of the
escarpment. There are several
short, self-guided trail tours in the park. The area gets very hot in the
summer, so plan accordingly.
Trail Head – Drive west on Montano Blvd, to
Atrisco / Unser Blvd, and turn right. The
entrance to the northern section of the monument is about 1 mile to the north.
Parking and directions are available here.
Further Information – Admission fee – Yes.
Water – Yes. Restrooms – Yes.
Petroglyph National Monument
Visitor Center
4735 Atrisco Blvd.
Albuquerque, NM 87120
505.839.4429
Hike #2
Vulcan Trail
Rating – Easy
West of Albuquerque there is a string of small volcanoes
that are managed by the City of Albuquerque Open Spaces division.
There is one maintained trail that runs from the parking lot to the
“Vulcan” volcano and a side trail that leads to the “Boca Negra” (black
mouth), a lava vent on the east side of Vulcan.
There is also lots of off-trail hiking that can be done on the other volcanoes
(Black, JA, Bond, and Butte), and through the grasslands in the
vicinity of the volcanoes. Expect
great views of the Rio Grande valley and the Sandia Mountains to the east.
Trail Head – Take I-40 west of the city to
the top of “Nine-Mile Hill”. Exit
on Paso Del Vulcan, and turn right, or north.
Drive north for 4.8 miles, until you reach a sigh that says “Open Space
and Volcano Park”. Follow the
dirt road for just over one mile to an undeveloped parking area to the west of
the two prominent volcanoes.
Further Information - Admission fee – No.
Water – No. Restrooms –
No.
City of Albuquerque
Open Spaces Division
PO Box 1293
Albuquerque, NM 87103
505.873.6620
Bosque Areas
Hike
#3
Rio Grande Nature
Center
Rating – Easy
The Rio Grande Nature Center is a New Mexico State Park
located on the east bank of the Rio Grande.
The 270-acre park lies within the river bosque – a riparian habitat
typical of the densely wooded belts that form along the moist river valley.
The bosque is a complex ecosystem that is a thriving community of plants
and animals that exists within a large urban area.
Hiking in the Nature Center and the surrounding area will vary from paved
walkways to narrow dirt paths winding through the cottonwoods along the river.
There are two loop trails, the Bosque Loop Trail, at .8 miles, and the
River Loop Trail, at 1 mile. Both
of these trails are shared with bicycles, so it is important to stay together in
a group, and to keep an eye out for cyclists.
The bosque is a great place to explore, but adult leaders must keep track
of the boys, as the river, with the sometimes-strong currents and
“quicksand” like mud is always near. There
is a nice visitor center, and staff members that can answer questions.
Trail Head – Drive west on Candelaria Blvd.
until the street ends. Turn right,
and enter the parking area of the Nature Center.
Follow the signs to the visitor center.
Further Information - Admission fee – Yes.
Water – Yes. Restrooms – Yes.
Rio Grande Nature Center
2901 Candelaria Blvd. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87107
505.344.7240
Mountain / Wilderness Areas
Hike #4
La Luz Trail (#137)
Rating – moderate to strenuous
La Luz (“The Light”) is the “Broadway” of hiking trails in the Sandia Mountains. The trail starts at the bottom of the Sandia’s, in the Juan Tabo picnic area, and winds it’s way for almost 8 miles to Sandia Crest at 10,678 ft. Near the top, the trail splits, with one branch going up to the Crest, and the other to the upper tram terminal, a bit over a mile to the south. The trail starts in the pinon pine/juniper belt, and ends in the subalpine forest at the top. The scenery and vistas along the trail are awesome. The lower part of the trail is a series of sweeping switchbacks, making the climb quite easy. Near the top, the trail pushes up through several talus slopes, and becomes rather steep in places. There is no regular water along the trail, so make sure you carry plenty. The lower portion of the trail is usable year-round. The upper 3-4 miles is snow-packed through mid to late spring, and can be extremely dangerous to hike during this time. There are several ways to hike La Luz. You can park at the bottom, and do part or the entire trail, then turn around and head back down. Be aware, the 15 plus miles of a round trip is a LOT of hiking in one day! You can also ride the tram to the top, and hike down, returning to the lower tram terminal via the North Tramway Trail. Or you can have someone drive to the Crest, drop you off, and pick you up later at the base of the trail. Anyway you do it, La Luz is one trail in the Sandia’s that should not be missed!
Trail Head – Base of trail – Drive north
on Tramway Blvd. past the tramway turnoff, and as the road begins to curve to
the west, turn north on forest road 333 towards Juan Tabo picnic grounds.
Follow signs to the parking area.
Top of trail – From the Sandia Crest parking lot, follow
the walkway to the south along the crest, and just after you pass the gift shop,
the trailhead is marked with a sign.
Upper tram terminal – Walk north past the restaurant, and
watch for a small sign pointing to the trailhead.
Further Information - Admission fee – Yes.
Water – None along the trail. Water is available at Sandia Crest and at
the upper tram terminal. Restrooms
– At lower and upper trailheads, but none along the trail.
Net elevation gain – 3600 ft.
U.S. Forest Service
Sandia Ranger District
Box 11776
Tijeras, NM 87059
505.281.3304
Hike #5
North Tramway Trail (#82 / 83)
Rating – Moderate
Starting at the northeast corner of the lower tramway
parking lot, this trail winds through the foothills to the north of the tram,
climbing over La Cueva ridge, and shortly thereafter joining the La Luz trail.
As stated above, this trail allow hikers that ride the tram to the top
the ability to hike down La Luz trail and finish their hike back at the lower
tram terminal. But it’s a great
trail in and of itself. The trail
passes just behind some of the homes near the foothills, and then finishes with
a steep climb to the top of the ridge, where it makes a sharp turn to the east,
and descends to the junction with La Luz trail.
In all but the driest months, there is a small stream that flows across
the trail. This makes a nice spot
to stop, rest, and let the boys play in the sand and water there.
Be aware; as in all water sources in the Sandia’s, do not drink this
water without purifying it in some manner.
This is a nice trail to hike year-around, but it can be icy and / or
muddy near the top of the ridge. After
your hike, cool down by sitting on a rock and watch the tramcars shuttle up and
down on their 3.6 mile trip to the top of the mountain.
Trail Head – From Tramway Blvd, drive north
to the junction with the tramway turnoff, and head east towards the tram
terminal. After going past the
entrance shack (parking fee) park at the north edge of the upper lot.
The trailhead is marked with a large sign.
Further Information - Admission fee – Yes (parking).
Water. – Small stream, always purify.
Drinking water available in tram terminal.
Restrooms – in tram terminal. Net
elevation gain – 800 ft.
U.S. Forest Service
Sandia Ranger District
Box 11776
Tijeras, NM 87059
505.281.3304
Hike #6
Pino Canyon Trail (#140)
Rating – Moderate to strenuous
The Pino is a fairly new trail that ascends the western
slope of the Sandia’s. The trail
is well designed, easy to follow, and lots of fun to hike.
It starts in the Elena Gallegos picnic area, soon enters the Sandia
Mountain Wilderness, and follows Pino Canyon to the crest ridge, where it
intersects with the Crest Trail. The
trail winds through thick forests of ponderosa, aspen, spruce, and fur.
There is usually water available about halfway up at a spring (purify
it!). The upper third of the trail
is rather steep, but the views of the valley are worth the climb.
Overall mileage is 4.5 miles one way.
Remember, this is a wilderness area, so if you “pack it in, pack it
out!”
Trail Head – From Tramway Blvd, drive north
for about 2 miles north of Montgomery blvd, where you will see a sign for Elena
Gallegos picnic area. Drive east to
the area, where you will be charged a nominal fee to enter.
Park at the east parking lot, and look for a sign locating the trailhead.
There are many other trails crisscrossing the area, so pay attention.
The real start of the trail is where it enters the wilderness.
Further Information - Admission fee – Yes (entrance
fee). Water – Spring along trail (purify it!) Drinking water in picnic area.
Restrooms – at picnic area. Net
elevation gain – 2680 ft.
U.S. Forest Service
Sandia Ranger District
Box 11776
Tijeras, NM 87059
505.281.3304
Hike #7
Lower Embuidito Trail (#192)
Rating – Moderate
The Embuidito is one of the older trails in the
Sandia’s. In recent years,
though, the lower portion has been upgraded, in part to several Eagle Scout
Service projects that have made the trail much safer and easier to hike.
There is also a new trailhead and parking area, which is far superior to
parking on neighborhood streets. The
trail itself starts just west of the foothills, in the Glenwood Hills area, and
after crossing the mouth of Embuidito canyon and arroyo, starts climbing up the
north canyon wall. In about a mile
you will come to a sharp left-hand turn, and then proceed up the ever-narrowing
canyon. In another mile you descend
down to the floor of the canyon, and reach Embuidito spring. The trail continues on from here, but becomes very steep and
rocky. I would not recommend taking
a group of young boys up this portion of the trail. The Embuidito trail continues east, and then south,
eventually reaching Oso Pass, and then climbs to Deer Pass, just south of South
Sandia Peak, at 9605 ft.
Trail Head – From Montgomery and Tramway
Blvd’s, drive east on Montgomery to Glenwood Hills Dr.
Turn north, and follow Glenwood Hills Dr. to Trailhead Rd.
Turn east, and follow to the trailhead parking lot.
Further Information - Admission fee – No. (at this
time) Water – spring along trail (purify it!) Restrooms – No.
Net elevation gain – 1200 ft.
U.S. Forest Service
Sandia Ranger District
Box 11776
Tijeras, NM 87059
505.281.3304
Hike #8
Crest Trail / Faulty Loop Trail (# 130 / 95 / 195A)
Rating – Easy to Moderate
No, this trail is not broken! The Faulty Trail gets its name from the fact that it runs
along a fault line. And the Crest
Trail, well, because it runs along the crest of the Sandia Mountains.
The Crest Trail (#130) starts at the parking area above the Canyon
Estates subdivision. You will enter
the Wilderness, and in about .5 mile, will come to an area that the boys will
just love! Here you will find a
waterfall, a cave, and sots of area to explore!
The trail climbs up to the left of the waterfall, and then continues up
the canyon to the west. After
another .5 mile, you will come to the junction of the Crest and Faulty Trails.
The Faulty (#95) climbs steeply up the side of the canyon, and then winds
to the north through a mixed pinon / ponderosa forest, and in about a mile will
come to a junction of the Faulty Loop Trail (#195A).
At this point you can ether return on the lower Faulty Trail, or follow
the loop trail to the south, which will join the Crest Trail in about 1.5 miles,
about 1 mile about the lower Faulty junction.
Return back down the Crest Trail, past the waterfall, and out to the
trailhead. This entire trip is about 5 miles in length, and will take
between 3-5 hours to hike.
Trail Head – From Albuquerque, take I-40
east to the Tijeras / Cedar Crest exit, bearing right towards Tijeras, then at
the base of the exit ramp, turn left, or north. Drive under the overpass, and then turn right onto the
dead-end road. Follow this road
through the Canyon Estates subdivision, and park in the parking loop.
Further Information - Admission fee – Yes.
Water – Spring along trail (purify it!).
Restrooms – No. Net
elevation gain – 1200 ft.
U.S. Forest Service
Sandia Ranger District
Box 11776
Tijeras, NM 87059
505.281.3304
Enjoy exploring the varied areas around Albuquerque,
and
discover why we refer to our state as the Land of Enchantment!