South Sandia Peak via Oso Ridge and Embudito Loop in Cibola National Forest, NM

Hike South Sandia Peak via Oso Ridge and Embudito Loop Cibola National Forest, NM

Class 1 10.6 miles 3800 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Nov 11, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

South Sandia Peak via Oso Ridge and Embudito Loop GPX Track

I need to offset my substantial website costs somehow! You can download a hike/drive GPX to assist you here. Before sharing my GPX tracks with others, please remember my site is otherwise a free resource.

A few years ago, I got to the summit of South Sandia Peak from the east side of the mountain, and wanted to check out the west side, using the Oso Ridge Trail (unofficial) and the Embudito Trail as a loop. Starting from the Embudito Trailhead, follow the official Embudito Trail for a short time until a sign reading "Trail" points left. Keep an eye out for a series of social trails leading up the ridge on the left, away from the official trail. This should take you on the Oso Ridge Trail. Follow it all the way up to the Crest Trail, where you wrap around to the south side of South Sandia Peak and head to the summit . Follow the more popular Embudito Trail back down to make this a nice loop.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
South Sandia Peak
9782 ft
622 rise

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!

Starting up the Embudito Trail. The Oso Ridge Trail goes up on the left ridge in this photo.
Starting up the Embudito Trail. The Oso Ridge Trail goes up on the left ridge in this photo.
On the Oso Ridge Trail.
On the Oso Ridge Trail.
Image 2 from gallery
South Sandia Peak visible ahead along the Oso Ridge Trail.
South Sandia Peak visible ahead along the Oso Ridge Trail.
Candia Crest visible through the trees.
Candia Crest visible through the trees.
Image 5 from gallery
Steep section to gain the Sandia Crest ridgeline.
Steep section to gain the Sandia Crest ridgeline.
Join the Sandia Crest Trail - this photo is looking north toward Sandia Crest (high point of the Sandias).
Join the Sandia Crest Trail - this photo is looking north toward Sandia Crest (high point of the Sandias).
South Sandia Peak on the right, following the Sandia Crest Trail.
South Sandia Peak on the right, following the Sandia Crest Trail.
Image 9 from gallery
Leave the Sandia Crest Trail on a social trail to get to the summit of South Sandia.
Leave the Sandia Crest Trail on a social trail to get to the summit of South Sandia.
The social trail rejoins with the South Sandia Summit Trail - this photo is looking back along the South Sandia Summit Trail.
The social trail rejoins with the South Sandia Summit Trail - this photo is looking back along the South Sandia Summit Trail.
Image 12 from gallery
Image 13 from gallery
Approaching South Sandia Peak (Sandia Crest visible in the distance).
Approaching South Sandia Peak (Sandia Crest visible in the distance).
South Sandia Peak, looking north.
South Sandia Peak, looking north.
Heading back along the South Sandia Summit Trail
Heading back along the South Sandia Summit Trail
Joined the Embudito Trail, easy to follow all the way back.
Joined the Embudito Trail, easy to follow all the way back.
Image 18 from gallery
Image 19 from gallery
Image 20 from gallery
Embudito Trail, Sandia Crest highpoint in the distance.
Embudito Trail, Sandia Crest highpoint in the distance.
Embudito Trail has shrubbery up high, forested sections on the way down, and desert landscape at the end. It's a nice transition from each landscape.
Embudito Trail has shrubbery up high, forested sections on the way down, and desert landscape at the end. It's a nice transition from each landscape.
Image 23 from gallery
Image 24 from gallery
Image 25 from gallery
Image 26 from gallery
Image 27 from gallery
Image 28 from gallery
Image 29 from gallery

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!