New Mexico · Hiking · Near Santo Domingo Pueblo

Chalk Dust

3.1 mi
round trip
303 ft
climb
5,932 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Chalk Dust open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sandia Ranger District. It doesn't name Chalk Dust, 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.

Chalk Dust is a 3.1-mile out-and-back hike in the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises about 300 feet from a low point of 5,655 feet to a high of 5,932 feet. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Placitas show October highs around 71°F with lows near 41°F, and May highs around 79°F. That station sits a few hundred feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the route run a little cooler. The trail is natural-surface and rated moderate. Bikes and horses are allowed, and the route is not accessible. Several other hikes start within a third of a mile, including Sidetrack, Bootleg and Mustang Alley Trail. Climbers can find Tunnel Springs about 2.8 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    KOA

    Campground

    Campground · 3.4 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Burger King

    Fast food

    On your way back · 3 mi
  • If it rainsJim Legans, Jr from Albuquerque, New Mexico, CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Tinkertown Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 11 mi from Santo Domingo Pueblo

    Folk art museum in Sandia Park, New Mexico

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Jim Legans, Jr from Albuquerque, New Mexico, CC BY 2.0 (commons)

More in Santo Domingo Pueblo

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Chalk Dust

    Best months: March–May and September–November. 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.

    1. Jan

      47° / 24°

      2 wet · 1 snow

    2. Feb

      53° / 28°

      3 wet · 1 snow

    3. Mar

      61° / 33°

      3 wet · 1 snow

    4. Apr

      71° / 40°

      3 wet

    5. May

      79° / 48°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      89° / 58°

      4 wet

    7. Jul

      91° / 63°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      89° / 60°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 53°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      71° / 41°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      56° / 31°

      3 wet · 1 snow

    12. Dec

      46° / 24°

      2 wet · 1 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Placitas 4w, NM, 1 mi away at 5,585 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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