South Sandia Peak Northern Approach
- 0.4 mi
- round trip
- 173 ft
- climb
- 9,743 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is South Sandia Peak Northern Approach open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Sandia Ranger District. It doesn't name South Sandia Peak Northern Approach, 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.
South Sandia Peak Northern Approach is a short, easy hike in the Sandia Mountain Wilderness, part of the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is an out-and-back of about 0.7 miles with a one-way climb of 173 feet, from a low point of about 9,551 feet to a high of about 9,743 feet. The trail sits within the wilderness, so it's a compact way to get onto the high ground before linking to other routes. Oso Ridge Trail starts just 0.1 mile away, and Larrys Trail and South Sandia Peak Trail are both within half a mile. Climbers can find Upper Fat City Drainage (a.k.a. Embudo Canyon) about 2.7 miles off.
Local outfitters
- Turquoise Trail Campground4 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: mnchilemom, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Oso Ridge Bypass
~3 min drive
0.32-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 131 ft of elevation gain.
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Oso Ridge Trail
Next door
3.88-mile lollipop trail in New Mexico with 2,254 ft gain
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Barts
~4 min drive
3.61-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 1,746 ft gain
Photo: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Oso Ridge-Embudito Link
~4 min drive
0.45-mile out-and-back trail with 159 ft gain in New Mexico.
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Larrys Trail
Next door
2.37-mile out-and-back hike in New Mexico with 170 ft gain.
HIKE
Ccc Trail
~2 min drive
1.68-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 1,741 ft elevation loss.
Photo: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Old Crest Trail
~4 min drive
0.35-mile out-and-back trail with 150 ft gain in New Mexico.
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Embudo to Three Gun
~2 min drive
1.45-mile out-and-back trail from Embudo to Three Gun in New Mexico.
HIKE
Faulty
~4 min drive
9.34-mile out-and-back trail in New Mexico with 1,699 ft elevation gain.
Photo: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Old Embudito Trail
~4 min drive
0.34-mile out-and-back hike with 138 ft gain in New Mexico.
Route details
- Distance
- 0.4 mi round trip
- Climbing
- About 173 ft
- Summit
- 9,782 ft
- Difficulty
- Easy
Other routes up South Sandia Peak
Questions about this route
How long is the South Sandia Peak Northern Approach on South Sandia Peak?
About 0.4 mi round trip.
How much elevation gain is on the South Sandia Peak Northern Approach?
About 173 ft of climbing round trip.
How hard is the South Sandia Peak Northern Approach?
It is rated easy.
How many routes go up South Sandia Peak?
2: South Sandia Peak Northern Approach and South Sandia Peak Trail.
Conditions and forecast on South Sandia Peak
Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.
Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors
