New Mexico · Hiking

Ponderosa (05064)

0.5 mi
round trip
35 ft
climb
7,675 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Is Ponderosa (05064) open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sandia Ranger District. It doesn't name Ponderosa (05064), 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 (05064) is a short, easy hike in the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. The route is an out-and-back of about a mile, with a low point of 7,625 feet and a high of 7,675 feet, so the climb is only about 35 feet of elevation gain. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the Sandia Park weather station, about 14 miles away, show May highs near 73°F and September highs near 77°F, with lows in the 40s. That station sits roughly 650 feet lower than the hike's high point, so temperatures on the trail run a little cooler. Several other hikes start close by, including Caida Del Pino and Gambel Oak, each about 0.3 miles away. Climbers can find Block Wall about 3 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Ponderosa (05064)

    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.

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