HIKING IN THE SANDIA MOUNTAINS

This month's FIRST hike will start at the Capulin Picnic Site in the Sandia Mountains. We'll park at the picnic site then walk across the road for a (very) short climb to the Challenge Trail. Then we'll hike up the trail to the Nine Mile Picnic Area. This is the new and revamped picnic area with new vaulted toilets, tables and a new road. Round trip hiking distance is about 2 miles.

It is real easy to locate Capulin Picnic Site, just travel east on I-40 until you get to NM 14 the Cedar Crest/Tijeras exit. Get off the freeway there and head towards Cedar Crest. Continue on NM 14 passing through Cedar Crest until you get to where it intersects with the NM 536 and then follow the traffic circle up toward the Cibola National Forest. The picnic site is about 7 miles up the crest road.

I will attempt to schedule a second hike later in the month (depending on interest) so that we can catch the Aspen turning. There are areas father up the Crest highway were they are very beautiful. -- Max