New Mexico · Hiking

Hawk Watch

2.4 mi
round trip
932 ft
climb
7,502 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Is Hawk Watch open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Hawk Watch is a 2.4-mile out-and-back hike in New Mexico's Sandia Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest. It rises from about 6,550 feet to a high point of 7,502 feet, with an elevation gain of 932 feet. The trail is rated easy and is open year round. The route is a natural-surface path, and it is not accessible. Bikes are not allowed. That puts it among the district's trail offerings rather than among its paved or developed roads. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons. Typical averages from the Sandia Park weather station, about 10 miles away, show May highs around 73°F with lows near 41°F, and October highs near 65°F with lows in the mid-30s. That station sits a few hundred feet lower than the trail's summit, so temperatures on top run a little cooler. The Three Gun Spring Arroyo Trail and the Trail Side Area 1 climbing spot both lie about 0.1 mile away. East Hawk Watch is roughly 0.4 mile off, and the Hawk Watch Overlook hike is about 0.7 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 Hawk Watch

    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, 9.9 mi away at 7,030 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Hawk WatchPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Hawk Watch

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Three Gun Spring TrailPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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