New Mexico · Hiking · Near Santo Domingo Pueblo

Challenge

ChallengePhoto: dconvertini, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
12.7 mi
round trip
1,822 ft
climb
10,289 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Challenge open right now?

Closure in the area

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

  • Sandia Ranger District Road & Area Closure for National Forest Road 462 Maintenance

    Agency alert covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-05-26-24 · 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

As of · Source: USFS · Sandia Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Challenge is a hard hike in the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, about 12.7 miles long with an elevation gain of 1,822 feet. The trail is an out-and-back, starting at a low point of 8,600 feet and reaching a high point of 10,289 feet. The Forest Service manages the land. The trail is on natural surface and allows bikes, so the route can be done on foot or on a bicycle. The open season runs from April 1 to November 30. The trail sits close to other destinations. Rocky Point and the Klaus cross-country ski trail are about 0.1 mile away, and the Yucca Flower Tower climbing area is about half a mile off. Windward Wall is a little farther, at about 0.6 mile.

Around this trail

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

    Campbell Scout Ranch

    Campground

    Campground · 4.9 mi from the trail
  • If it rainsJim Legans, Jr from Albuquerque, New Mexico, CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Tinkertown Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 5.0 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.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive