New Mexico · Hiking

South Crest

0.9 mi
round trip
724 ft
climb
7,711 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Is South Crest open right now?

Closure in the area

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

South Crest is a short, easy out-and-back hike in the Sandia Mountain Wilderness, part of the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in northern New Mexico. The trail rises about 724 feet over roughly 1.8 miles, from a low point of 6,955 feet to a high point of 7,711 feet, and is managed by the Forest Service. For timing, late spring and early fall tend to be the most comfortable. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Sandia Park show May highs around 73°F and September highs around 77°F, with July and August peaking near 83°F. That station sits roughly 680 feet below the trail's high point, so expect it to run a little cooler up top. Faulty Trail starts just 0.1 mile away, and Hobbies Trail and Carlito Springs Loop Trail are within a mile. Climbers can head to Ranger Station Wall, about 1.8 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 South Crest

    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, 8 mi away at 7,030 ft. The station sits about 700 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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