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This is perhaps the most beautiful canyon on the west side of the Sandias. The vegetation is lush and a city escape is only miles from the TH. This is a loop hike, but you can certainly make a day of it by just going as far as the TWA crash site. This is an area where a small plane went down in 1955 and a memorial is in place. Please respect the area as you would any hallowed ground. It is roughly 3.75 miles from the TH to the crash site. If you choose to continue from here to the La Luz trail, BE WARNED, you will be on a little used faint trail that is hard to find in some places. The path becomes very steep here and once you commit to it, it would be steep to go back. DO NOT HIKE THIS PART ALONE! Once you reach the crest, you will get to the restaurant at the top of the tramline. Stop for a cheeseburger and a micro brew. Start at Elena Gallegos OS TH. This is located at the end of Simms Park Road, which stretches east of Tramway between Academy and Paseo Del Norte. Fee Parking.
Location: 35.202515, -106.440247
Looking for La Luz. It will be obvious when you get there.
City Views
Location: 35.200951, -106.441475
Enjoy views of the city and canyon below you.
Crest Trail
Location: 35.194843, -106.433060
Find the marker for the southbound portion of your trip on trail #130.
Cross over the boundary to FS land
Location: 35.171108, -106.466820
This is the entrance gate to Domingo Baca Trail.
Domingo Route 2
Location: 35.178825, -106.464317
Posts along the way help you find the route.
Domingo RT
Location: 35.178200, -106.466339
Faint Trail
Location: 35.196217, -106.442070
Follow a faint trail up towards La Luz.
FOOD!
Location: 35.196106, -106.434433
Stop here for a microbrew and a green chile burger!! Call ahead to make sure that they will be open when you pass by.
Good Camping
Location: 35.167709, -106.436386
This is a nice spot for a tent. Unfortuneately, there isn't any water nearby.
Good Path
Location: 35.181602, -106.459442
From this point on to the crash site, the path mostly follows creek bottoms and is in fairly good shape.
La Luz
Location: 35.202511, -106.440178
Find La Luz trail and follow it to the restaurant.
La Luz = End
Location: 35.196987, -106.434898
This is the end of the La Luz portion of the trail. Head towards the restaurant for that beer!
La Luz Views of the City
Location: 35.197170, -106.435455
Now that you are on "good trail" again, stop and enjoy the views!
Leave creek bottom
Location: 35.181454, -106.459976
This is the spot where you head up to the trail that will take you the rest of the way.
Locator
Location: 35.198845, -106.442627
This waypoint will help you locate the right route.
Meadow
Location: 35.201569, -106.440994
You break out in to a relatively flat spot here just before finding La Luz.
Near
Location: 35.202007, -106.440163
Looking for La Luz
Obstacle
Location: 35.192986, -106.443069
There is some large rocks to scale here. If they are wet it can be challenging. I prefer to take a route around it.
Path out of creek bed
Location: 35.181400, -106.459930
Look for this path out of the creek bed.
Pino Trail
Location: 35.168888, -106.414345
This is the intersection of Pino #140 and the crest trail. Head down Pino. The trail is easy to follow.
Ruins
Location: 35.180088, -106.461922
Here you will find some old rock house ruins.
Ruins
Location: 35.180134, -106.461914
A small Rock house can be found here.
Several user trails cross the main trail
Location: 35.173233, -106.467026
Just make sure you keep heading in the right direction and stay on the main trail.
Steep Pitch
Location: 35.200367, -106.441940
The pitch is steep. Not suitable for people who have problems with heights.
Trail
Location: 35.193146, -106.443527
Find the trail again here.
Trail 140 Kiosk
Location: 35.165100, -106.456894
This is the point where you enter the Elena again. Follow #140 back to the parking area.
Tram Car
Location: 35.200138, -106.442093
You'll see the tram wires and you might even see the tram cars pass by.
Turn to creek bottom
Location: 35.180927, -106.460648
You can turn too early and not be affected, just wetter, but don't turn too late.
TWA Crash Site
Location: 35.194992, -106.442574
This is the crash site. You will see a lot of wreckage from this point on. Please respect the area as you would any hallowed ground. Many people lost their lives here. Do not remove anything from the site.
TWA Memorial
Location: 35.195213, -106.442444
This is the crash site memorial. It lists the names of the victims. May they rest in peace. Respect the area!
Views
Location: 35.199432, -106.442368
You'll have some great views as you make your way up.
Views
Location: 35.176655, -106.467415
Look back and catch some nice views of the city from here.
Views
Location: 35.183025, -106.413666
Enjoy views of the east side
Water Founatin
Location: 35.163265, -106.470001
This is the start and end of this loop, The parking area is near here.
Water Fountain
Location: 35.163231, -106.469879
Wilderness Boundary
Location: 35.192867, -106.431396
Re-enter the wilderness!
Wilderness Boundary
Location: 35.165272, -106.456253
Here you leave the wilderness.
WPT
Location: 35.164307, -106.465866
Almost Back
wpt 0128
Location: 35.200336, -106.441940
null
wpt 0129
Location: 35.200336, -106.441940
null
wpt 0132
Location: 35.202007, -106.440163
null
wpt 0139
Location: 35.186848, -106.420815
null
WPT TWA
Location: 35.184929, -106.451767
Follow the path.
Your Quest!
Location: 35.163448, -106.469566
The Sandia Mountain range, which hugs the eastern edge of Albuqueruqe, will be your challenge for this hike.
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