New Mexico · Hiking

West Ridge

West RidgePhoto: killbox, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.5 mi
round trip
309 ft
climb
7,350 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Is West Ridge open right now?

Closure in the area

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

West Ridge is a 5.1-mile out-and-back hike in the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico. It climbs from a low point of 7,054 feet to a high of 7,350 feet, a total gain of about 300 feet, and is rated moderate. The Forest Service manages the surrounding land. The most comfortable stretch for a visit runs from late spring into early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Sandia Park, at a similar elevation, show May highs around 73°F and September highs near 77°F, with lows in the mid-40s. Winter is cold, with January highs around 44°F and lows near 19°F. The hike starts in a cluster of other trails. Birdhouse Ridge, Cedro Creek Interpretive and Otero Canyon are each about 0.3 miles away. Climbers can find the Grand Enchantment Trail roughly a mile off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit West Ridge

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

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors