Cairnival
- 0.3 mi
- round trip
- 12 ft
- climb
- 7,529 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Apr–Oct
- best months
Is Cairnival open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Sandia Ranger District. It doesn't name Cairnival, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).
Area Closure for Recreation Residence Structures and Property at 91 Casa Loma Road
Agency closure covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-05-26-14 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District
Area Closure for Recreation Residence Structures and Property at 69 Casa Loma Road
Agency closure covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-05-26-13 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District
Area Closure for Sandia Crest “Switchback” Hazard Tree and Fuel Reduction Project
Agency closure covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-05-26-02 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District
Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts Stage 1 Fire Restriction Lifted
Agency alert covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-00-26-20 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District
Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts Stage 1 Fire Restriction Order 03-03-00-26-05
Agency alert covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-00-26-05 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District
As of · Source: USFS · Sandia Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Cairnival is an easy, short out-and-back hike in New Mexico's Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest, set in the Juan Tomas area and managed as city land. The route covers about 0.6 miles, with a low point of 7,504 feet and a high of 7,529 feet, making it a gentle walk with only about 12 feet of elevation gain. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the Sandia Park weather station, about 15 miles away, show May highs near 73°F and October highs around 65°F, while winter highs stay in the low to mid 40s. Several other trails start close by. Ponderosa is about 0.1 mile away and Ponderosa Loop about 0.2 mile, with Easy Pickin' about half a mile off. Climbers can reach the Block Wall area about 3.7 miles away.
Local outfitters
- Turquoise Trail Campground10 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · Apr–Oct
Best time to visit Cairnival
Best months: April–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
44° / 19°
Feb
48° / 22°
Mar
55° / 26°
Apr
63° / 34°
May
73° / 41°
Jun
83° / 49°
Jul
83° / 53°
Aug
80° / 52°
Sep
77° / 46°
Oct
65° / 36°
Nov
54° / 24°
Dec
43° / 18°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sandia Park, NM, 14.8 mi away at 7,030 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
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