3rd in 6 part series of MTB rides in New Mexico. While the neighboring states of Arizona and Colorado overshadow the 47th state when it comes to destination MTB rides, what you get in return is pure southwest. A melting pot of culture, food, art, historical sites, and natural landmarks, you’ll be missing what make’s New Mexico enchanted if you’re just coming to mountain bike. So when a work/vacation opportunity presented itself, it was time to rediscover a state I moved from seven years ago.
Albuquerque - Sandia Peak
Having lived in the Albuquerque area for four years, New Mexico is a crossroads of Native American culture, Route 66 Americana, and art larger than life. The expanses of sky are endless, the people are genuine, and the local food has a unique favor all to its own rarely found outside the state. A lot of folks think pictures are color enhanced until they’ve seen it with their very eyes. The entire landscape, skies, and culture are an immense palate of colors. Countless artists have captured it in various media to include Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams. The land conjures up images of the rugged southwest from cowboy movies I watched when I was a kid because that’s still just the way it is in many places.
I wrote a piece on Sandia Peak several years ago but it’s always worth repeating as one of my top rides in NM. Driving the back roads from Alamogordo affords a visit to some extraordinarily Indian ruins to be described later. Approaching the east side of the Sandia Mountains, Gil would be in for a big surprise.
When we arrived at Sandia Peak ski area, the chair lifts have sat dormant for 6 weeks and bike trail signs already removed for the upcoming ski season. Yet the King of the Mountain trail affords one of the best 1,700’ climbs you’ll ever experience. Flatlanders will want some altitude acclimation as the parking lot trailhead is 8,640’.
An early season snow storm resulted in most of the trees dropping their leaves prior to our arrival; otherwise this would be a phenomenal ride during the fall aspen colors.
As the trail snakes across the ski slopes, you’re afforded some great views to the east.
While snaking up the hundred switchbacks over 8 miles may seem like a chore, this is some of the best fun you’ll have climbing. There are 4 connectors between the parallel trail going down should you need to bail out before reaching the top.
Trees,
Meadows,
Rock,
Repeat, again & again. Add in a half a dozen short, technical drops and runouts that give you a chance to catch your breath. Finally the top comes into view.
Top pros have finish this oxygen depriving climb under 60 min running 34-17 single speed gearing in the NM off-road series. Needless to say, we leisurely doubled that. Climbing the final steps to the overlook toping out at 10,300’ put a huge smile on Gil’s face. Sandia Crest at 10,678’ is a little over a mile to the north.
The ground drops away before you and reveals the Rio Grande Valley with Albuquerque some 5,000’ below. Any pain is a now a distant memory as you try to take it all in. Rarely does this view disappoint.
We watch the tram go up and down a few times while soaking in the views.
High Finance restaurant opens daily for dinner. Expect the total bill well north of $100 by the time you figure in tram tickets and the meal, but again it’s about the view at night overlooking the city lights.
After soaking in another viewpoint, it’s time to head back down.
Although you could return via the way you climbed, the down only Golden Eagle trail is the compliment to KOTM for your return trip to the base and never intersects. With half the number of switchbacks going down, you’ll be cranking the big ring all the way down, nailing bermed turns, and wearing a permanent grin all the while. No stopping for pictures but Gil captures the video. Here’s just the first 5 minutes.
http://vimeo.com/31709946
Even cranking all out, it still takes 22 minutes to reach the bottom. Pure MTB heaven in the Sandias.
While Albuquerque affords numerous sightseeing opportunities, a number of Indian pueblos surround the area with some of the most impressive in the Manzano Mountain range, just to the south. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument consists of three separate pueblo areas: Abó, Gran Quivira, and Quarai.
Four centuries old, the only mission church walls remain as the prominent feature in the Quarai pueblo community.
While the Pilgrims were busy establishing their colony at Plymouth Rock in 1620, this place was entering its heyday.
It’s pretty remarkable to visit historical places this old in the United States. Back on the East coast you’re captivated by pre-Civil War stone farmhouses. While the southwestern’s dry climate preserves features which would have disappeared long ago, it’s these timeless artifacts that add to New Mexico’s enchantment.
Sandia Peak – KOTM to Golden Eagle
Type: XC/AM loop
Mileage: 13.7 mi
Ascent/Descent: 1,764’
Trailhead elevation: 8,639’
Peak elevation: 10,314’
