South Sandia Peak via CCC and Crest Loop in Cibola National Forest, NM

Hike South Sandia Peak via CCC and Crest Loop Cibola National Forest, NM

Class 1 11.2 miles 3400 gain 5-7 hrs Loop May 9, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

South Sandia Peak via CCC and Crest Loop GPX Track

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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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The trail starts out really wide, but mostly because of the short hike to Travertine Falls.
The trail starts out really wide, but mostly because of the short hike to Travertine Falls.
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Travertine Falls. Dry and graffiti everywhere, sadly.
Travertine Falls. Dry and graffiti everywhere, sadly.
Back on the Sandia Crest Trail.
Back on the Sandia Crest Trail.
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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.
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.
Along the CCC unmaintained trail.
Along the CCC unmaintained trail.
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The brush slowly disappears as you near the top.
The brush slowly disappears as you near the top.
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At the intersection with the Sandia Crest Trail, turn left and soon...
At the intersection with the Sandia Crest Trail, turn left and soon...
...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.
...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.
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Views of Albuquerque.
Views of Albuquerque.
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South Sandia Peak in the distance.
South Sandia Peak in the distance.
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Super-mini scramble to the top.
Super-mini scramble to the top.
From the South Sandia summit looking to North Sandia Peak.
From the South Sandia summit looking to North Sandia Peak.
From the summit, looking toward Albuquerque.
From the summit, looking toward Albuquerque.
Close-up of North Sandia Peak.
Close-up of North Sandia Peak.
Back at the junction, headed down the Sandia Crest Trail.
Back at the junction, headed down the Sandia Crest Trail.
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The Sandia Crest Trail was more interesting and pretty than the CCC Trail approach I took.
The Sandia Crest Trail was more interesting and pretty than the CCC Trail approach I took.
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A viewpoint looking north toward the peaks.
A viewpoint looking north toward the peaks.
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The trail meets back to where it split for the CCC trial shortly after this hairpin turn - follow that back down to the trailhead.
The trail meets back to where it split for the CCC trial shortly after this hairpin turn - follow that back down to the trailhead.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!