New Mexico · Hiking

Sunset Canyon Ridge Trail

Sunset Canyon Ridge TrailPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
0.1 mi
round trip
97 ft
climb
7,037 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Is Sunset Canyon Ridge Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sandia Ranger District. It doesn't name Sunset Canyon Ridge Trail, 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.

Sunset Canyon Ridge Trail is a short, easy out-and-back hike in the Sandia Mountain Wilderness, part of the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico. The trail is managed by the Forest Service and sits within designated wilderness, so it is a compact outing that fits easily into a day spent exploring the surrounding network of trails and climbing areas. The route is about 0.24 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 97 feet. It starts at a low point of about 6,899 feet and reaches a high of about 7,037 feet, making it a gentle climb that is easy to complete in a short time. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall are the best bets. Typical averages from the nearby Sandia Park weather station, at a similar elevation, show May highs around 73°F and September highs around 77°F, with lows in the low to mid 40s. Several other trails lie within a mile, including Sunset Canyon Trail, Foothills Trail South and the Sunset Canyon Ridge Route. Climbers can find Foothills Bouldering about 0.9 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Sunset Canyon Ridge Trail

    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, 8.7 mi away at 7,030 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Sunset Canyon TrailPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors