South Sandia Peak via CCC and Crest Loop

Cibola National Forest, NM Central New Mexico + Albuquerque

Trip stats

Distance
11.2 mi
Net Gain
3,400 ft
Time
5-7 hrs
YDS Rating
Class 1
Route
Loop

Ratings out of 10

Effort
4.7/10
Personality
4/10
Beauty
6/10
Solitude
2.5/10
What do these mean? →

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

35.089628, -106.391480

The directions link below drops a pin on the trailhead coordinates and lets Google Maps pick the route. If the drive has rough roads or access issues that GPS nav might get wrong, I cover that in my trip report.

Get directions (opens Google Maps in a new tab)

Trip report

May 9, 2017 — South Sandia Peak can be reached from a few directions, including the Oso and Embudito Loop from the west. This hike instead comes from the east. I started along the wide South Crest Trail to Travertine Falls, which wasn't flowing at the time. It's a fairly popular hike to the falls, but the trail narrows as it ascends away from the Falls. The South Crest Trail continues west hits a junction with the steep and unmaintained CCC Trail. I'll be returning to this junction on my way back. I followed the CCC Trail more directly to the crest, where it joined with the Crest Trail and continued to the summit of South Sandia Peak. I then came back down the standard Sandia Crest Trail, then took the South Crest Trail to complete the loop.

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Photos

41 photos

  1. The trail starts out really wide, but mostly because of the short hike to Travertine Falls.
  3. Travertine Falls. Dry and graffiti everywhere, sadly.
  4. Back on the Sandia Crest Trail.
  9. At this junction, the main trail takes a long route to the top (I came down that way). The unmarked and unmaintained CCC starts in a clearing to the right and heads steeply up the slope.
  10. Along the CCC unmaintained trail.
  14. The brush slowly disappears as you near the top.
  17. At the intersection with the Sandia Crest Trail, turn left and soon...
  18. ...you'll see this intersection. To the left is the way I went down (along the Sandia Crest Trail). To the right goes to the summit.
  21. Views of Albuquerque.
  24. South Sandia Peak in the distance.
  28. Super-mini scramble to the top.
  29. From the South Sandia summit looking to North Sandia Peak.
  30. From the summit, looking toward Albuquerque.
  31. Close-up of North Sandia Peak.
  32. Back at the junction, headed down the Sandia Crest Trail.
  34. The Sandia Crest Trail was more interesting and pretty than the CCC Trail approach I took.
  36. A viewpoint looking north toward the peaks.
  41. The trail meets back to where it split for the CCC trial shortly after this hairpin turn - follow that back down to the trailhead.

Photo 1 of 1

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Hire or refer me as a web developer, or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so it's funded by yours truly. It also takes a ton of work to edit photos and write these reports. I really appreciate it!

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