60 Short Hikes in the Sandia Foothills
The hiking trails in the Sandia Mountains are one of the great assets of Albuquerque, for residents and visitors alike. This book will help more people take advantage of these beautiful places to walk, most of them hitherto unmapped. It introduces sixty short hikes in the public lands on the eastern edge of the city. Some of the hikes are in the foothills and some are in the lower slopes of the mountains. Most are less than four miles long, and all are easy to access. They range in difficulty from easy to very hard. Included are useful tips for how to reach the trails, where to park, and how to stay safe and avoid trespassing on private property. Each hike also features downloadable digital route data that can be easily used with smartphones or GPS units.
Residents and visitors to Albuquerque now have an excellent new guide to hiking the nearby trails. . . . Superb.'--American Reference Books Annual
A highly detailed, information-packed, and readable guide.'--Albuquerque Journal
Provides the perfect starting point for newcomers or those interested in a quick after-work amble. . . . A little something for any fitness level.'--New Mexico Magazine
[A] detailed and inspiring trail companion.'--Matt Schmader, author of Albuquerque's Parks and Open Space
Tamara Massong has lived in the Southwest since 1998. She is retired from the US Army Corps of Engineers, where she worked as a hydrologist. An avid outdoorswoman, she especially enjoys investigating small streams and tight canyons.
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part One. Northern Trails
1. Upper La Cueva Overlook via La Luz Trail
2. La Luz Switchback Overlook from Tram Trail
3. La Luz-Piedra Lisa Trail
4. Juan Tabo Picnic Area
5. Hidden Falls Canyon Route
6. El Rincon via Piedra Lisa Trail
7. Waterfall Canyon via Piedra Lisa Trail
8. Old 333 Road Trail
9. Jaral Watershed Loop
10. Juan Tabo Cabin (Ruins) and Adjacent Arroyo Trail
11. Juan Tabo Canyon via Sandy Arroyo/Old 333 Road Trails
12. La Cueva Picnic Area and Valley Hike
13. Ruins Loop from La Cueva Picnic Area
14. La Cueva Canyon Route
15. Spring Creek Trail (a.k.a. Jaral Cabin Trail)
16. Lower Spring Creek Route and Loop
17. Tram Trail (a.k.a. Tramway Trail)
Part Two. Central Trails
18. Trail 365-Sandia Peak Tram to Embudito Trailhead
19. Water Tank Canyon Route-Local Trails at Sandia Peak Tram
20. Northern Elena Gallegos Boundary Loop from Sandia Peak Tram
21. Cañon Domingo Baca Trail
22. Pino Trail to the Dead Trees
23. Domingo Baca Outwash Fan-North EGPA Loop
24. Grassy Hills Loop
25. Pino Arroyo Loop
26. Bear Arroyo Loop from Elena Gallegos Picnic Area
27. Elena Gallegos Outer Trail Loop
28. Elena Gallegos Inner Trail Loop
29. North Levee/Trail 305 Loop
30. Mountain Base Loop from Michial Emery Trailhead
31. Academy Camp Loop
32. Bear Canyon Overlook
33. Middle Bear Arroyo Loops from Michial Emery Trailhead
34. Lower Bear Arroyo Loops from John B. Robert Dam
35. Trail 365-Levee Loop from Embudito Trailhead
36. Mountain Base-Academy Camp Loop from Embudito Trailhead
37. Embudito Canyon Overlook Loop
38. Embudito Canyon Route/Loop
39. Embudito North Ridge Trail Loop
40. Embudito South Ridge Trail to Boulder Cave
Part Three. South Central Trails
41. Trail 365-Comanche Road to I-40
42. Trail 401-Piedra Lisa Canyon to Hilldale Mound
43. Sunset Canyon Route
44. Candelaria Bench Loop
45. Piedra Lisa Falls and Bench Loop
46. Piedra Lisa Ridge Overlook Loop
47. Piedra Lisa-Sunset Canyon Loop
48. Narrow Falls
49. Embudo Dam Loop
50. Hanging Rock Canyon Loop
51. Embudo Trail Loop to Upper Watershed/Headwall
52. Embudo Mound Loop
53. Embudo-U-Mound Overlook Loop
54. U-Mound Perimeter Loop
55. Old Man Canyon Loop
56. Two Mound Loop
57. Hilldale Mound Loop
58. Four Mound Loop
59. Tijeras Canyon-Four Hills Overlook Loop
60. South Mound/I-40 Loop
Appendix A. Directions to Parking Areas
Appendix B. Timeline of Post-Pueblo Revolt Land Ownership and Management of the Sandia Foothills
Appendix C. Digital Data: How Do I Use It with My Smartphone?
