New Mexico · Hiking

Ponderosa

2.3 mi
round trip
55 ft
climb
7,676 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Is Ponderosa open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Ponderosa is an easy hike of about 2.3 miles in the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is an out-and-back with a low point of about 7,610 feet and a high of about 7,676 feet, so the climb is gentle, with only about 55 feet of elevation gain one way. The trail is on natural surface, and both bikes and horses are allowed. That makes it a flexible option for riders and pack animals. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall are the best bets. Typical averages from the Sandia Park weather station, about 14 miles away, show May highs around 73°F and September highs around 77°F, with lows in the 40s. Winter is cold, with January highs near 44°F and lows around 19°F. Several other hikes sit close by, including Ponderosa (05064) about 0.2 miles away and Easy Pickin' and Gambel Oak at about 0.4 miles. Climbers can find Block Wall about 3.2 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Ponderosa

    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, 14.4 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.