New Mexico · Hiking

Elk Track

1.0 mi
round trip
231 ft
climb
7,601 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Is Elk Track open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Elk Track is a short, easy hike in the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in northern New Mexico, about 1 mile long with a one-way climb of 231 feet. The trail is managed by the Forest Service, and the route is an out-and-back that runs between about 7,350 and 7,600 feet. The trail is natural-surface and allows both horses and bikes. It is not an accessible trail. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall are the best bets. Typical averages from the Sandia Park weather station, about 4 miles away, show May highs around 73°F and September highs around 77°F, while winter lows there drop into the teens. Vista Trail (259) starts just 0.1 mile away and Faulty Trail (195) is about 0.2 mile off. The Secret Squirrel Trail and Un Poquito are each about half a mile away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Elk Track

    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.

    1. Jan

      44° / 19°

    2. Feb

      48° / 22°

    3. Mar

      55° / 26°

    4. Apr

      63° / 34°

    5. May

      73° / 41°

    6. Jun

      83° / 49°

    7. Jul

      83° / 53°

    8. Aug

      80° / 52°

    9. Sep

      77° / 46°

    10. Oct

      65° / 36°

    11. Nov

      54° / 24°

    12. Dec

      43° / 18°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sandia Park, NM, 4.3 mi away at 7,030 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.