New Mexico · Hiking

Hawk Watch

Hawk WatchPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
0.3 mi
round trip
178 ft
climb
6,631 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–May, Sep–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

  • 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.

Hawk Watch is a short, easy hike in the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, about 0.26 miles from the trailhead. The route is an out-and-back of about half a mile, with a one-way climb of 178 feet from a low point of 6,425 feet to a high of 6,631 feet. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 78°F and October highs around 68°F, while July and August bring the most wet days, about 11 each month. The trail sits among a cluster of climbing areas and other hikes. Crystal Ship and Glass House is about 0.2 miles away, and Three Gun Spring Trail is about 0.3 miles off. East Hawk Watch and Hawk Watch Overlook are both within a mile.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Apr–May, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Hawk Watch

    Best months: April–May and September–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

      45° / 26°

      5 wet · 3 snow

    2. Feb

      51° / 29°

      5 wet · 3 snow

    3. Mar

      60° / 35°

      5 wet · 2 snow

    4. Apr

      68° / 40°

      4 wet · 1 snow

    5. May

      78° / 49°

      5 wet

    6. Jun

      88° / 58°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 62°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 61°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      80° / 55°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      68° / 43°

      6 wet

    11. Nov

      54° / 33°

      5 wet · 2 snow

    12. Dec

      44° / 26°

      5 wet · 3 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Albuquerque Foothills Ne, NM, 4.8 mi away at 5,994 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors