South Sandia Peak via Oso Ridge and Embudito Loop

Cibola National Forest, NM Central New Mexico + Albuquerque

Trip stats

Distance
10.6 mi
Net Gain
3,800 ft
Time
4-6 hrs
YDS Rating
Class 1
Route
Loop
Peaks
1

Ratings out of 10

Effort
4.9/10
Personality
5/10
Beauty
6/10
Solitude
2.4/10
What do these mean? →

Peaks on this hike

Summits listed in route order

  1. South Sandia Peak
    9,782′ elevation · 622′ prominence

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

35.135944, -106.481991

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

Nov 11, 2018 — 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.

Hire me or show some love!

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!

Hire me PayPal Venmo Cash App

Photos

30 photos

  1. Starting up the Embudito Trail. The Oso Ridge Trail goes up on the left ridge in this photo.
  2. On the Oso Ridge Trail.
  4. South Sandia Peak visible ahead along the Oso Ridge Trail.
  5. Candia Crest visible through the trees.
  7. Steep section to gain the Sandia Crest ridgeline.
  8. Join the Sandia Crest Trail - this photo is looking north toward Sandia Crest (high point of the Sandias).
  9. South Sandia Peak on the right, following the Sandia Crest Trail.
  11. Leave the Sandia Crest Trail on a social trail to get to the summit of South Sandia.
  12. The social trail rejoins with the South Sandia Summit Trail - this photo is looking back along the South Sandia Summit Trail.
  15. Approaching South Sandia Peak (Sandia Crest visible in the distance).
  16. South Sandia Peak, looking north.
  17. Heading back along the South Sandia Summit Trail
  18. Joined the Embudito Trail, easy to follow all the way back.
  22. Embudito Trail, Sandia Crest highpoint in the distance.
  23. 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.

Photo 1 of 1

Hire me or show some love!

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!

Hire me PayPal Venmo Cash App