Sandia Crest
Description
WikipediaSandia Crest, also known locally as Sandia Peak or simply as the Crest, is a mountain ridge that, at 10,679 feet (3,255 m), is the highpoint of the Sandia–Manzano Mountains, and is located in the Sandia Mountains of Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States. Instead of a true summit or topographic peak, this range climbs to a long ridge line. To the east, the range slopes down from the Crest and merges into the plains below. On the west side of the Crest is a cliff; the range dramatically drops over 4,000 feet (1,000 metres) in elevation over 2 miles (3 kilometres) of horizontal distance to the Rio Grande Valley and city of Albuquerque below. It is within the Sandia Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest. The Crest features a viewing area with a shop and visitor center, telecommunications transmitters, the popular La Luz Trail, the Sandia Mountain Wilderness, and the summit of Sandia Peak Ski Area and the Sandia Peak Tramway, which is the longest aerial tramway in the Americas.
Best months
Hiking score 0–100 · 10-yr climate averagesNeighbouring summits
| Name | Elevation | Bearing | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Chimney | 3,051 m | NW 310° | 0.5 km |
| The Thumb | 3,081 m | SW 214° | 0.8 km |
| Whiskey Peak | 2,926 m | SW 214° | 1.2 km |
| Tombstone | 3,048 m | N 344° | 1.2 km |
| Hail Peak | 2,947 m | S 163° | 1.4 km |
| The Needle | 3,127 m | NW 337° | 2.1 km |
Routes of ascent
| Route | Network | Distance | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Enchantment Trail | nwn | 4,070.7 km | — |
| Upper La Luz, Crest House Spur, Crest Loop Route | lwn | 6.7 km | — |
| South Crest Trail | lwn | 60.1 km | — |
| La Luz to Crest Route | lwn | 11.3 km | — |
| Tram Lower Terminal to Sandia Crest | lwn | 14.1 km | — |
| Grand Enchantment Trail Segment 39: Sandia Crest | — | 30.6 km | — |
Climbing routes
nearest first| Route | Area | Grade | From summit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitch's Brew | Torreon | 6c | 303 m |
| Mountain Momma | Torreon | 6b | 303 m |
| Wizard of Air | Torreon | 7a+ | 303 m |
| The Sorcerer | Torreon | 7b | 303 m |
| Sorcerer's Apprentice | Torreon | 6c | 303 m |
| Voodoo Child | Torreon | 7a | 303 m |
| Crossroads | Torreon | 6a | 303 m |
| Mexican Breakfast Crack | Mexican Breakfast Formation | 5c | 362 m |
| Tarantula | Mexican Breakfast Formation | 6b+ | 362 m |
| North Ridge | Sentinel, The | 5a | 378 m |
| Lost Ledge | Sentinel, The | 5a | 378 m |
| Almost Overlooked | Sentinel, The | 4c | 378 m |
| Shady Lady | My Secret Garden | 5c | 444 m |
| Bettie Page | My Secret Garden | 5c | 444 m |
| Brazilian Wax Job | My Secret Garden | 5c | 444 m |
| Rawdawgin | My Secret Garden | 6c | 444 m |
| Twiggy | My Secret Garden | 5b | 444 m |
| Jailbait | My Secret Garden | 6b+ | 444 m |
| Hurts So Good | My Secret Garden | 6c | 444 m |
| Milla | My Secret Garden | 5b | 444 m |
| Turning Tricks | My Secret Garden | 6b | 444 m |
| Pocket Cougar | My Secret Garden | 6c | 444 m |
| Plan B | My Secret Garden | 6c | 444 m |
| Night Moves | My Secret Garden | 6b | 444 m |
| Desert Landscape | My Secret Garden | 6c+ | 444 m |