Description
Sitting at the north end of the east side of the Sandias is a section of City of Albuquerque Open Space land. Recently developed trails now make it possible to explore this striking landscape. The hike begins in pinyon-juniper grassland and, after about a half mile, reaches the rim of a broad, multi-colored canyon resembling a smaller version of the Grand Canyon. The route follows the rim, descends into the canyon to view its vivid, twisted formations, and returns by a different trail. This is a moderate 3.5-mile hike with limited shade. Make sure you have sturdy hiking footwear, a hat, sunscreen, and water. Feel free to bring a light snack. A walking stick is highly recommended. No restrooms available. Limited enrollment.
David Ryan, who has given several presentations at Oasis, is the coauthor of the 3rd edition of 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Albuquerque and the author of several other walk books. In addition to hiking around Albuquerque, he has gone on several very long walks including the Camino de Santiago and the entire Appalachian Trail. You can find many of the places he has explored on his blog at www.gentleartofwandering.com.