How Long Does It Take To Hike Down Sandia Peak?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Make sure to bring some snacks for the trail as well, this is a great excuse to stop at the amazing viewpoints and appreciate them for a bit during the hike. We took our time, and the whole route took us

about 5 hours

including a bunch of stops.

Can you hike down Sandia Peak?

With over 100 hiking trails, nestled in the Cibola National Forest, appealing to a wide range of explorers, the beauty of the Sandia Mountains is accessible to all from its crest atop the Sandia Peak Tramway. Ride the tram to the top of the mountain.

Hike down to the bottom

.

How long does it take to descend Pikes Peak?

The trail is well-marked and is traveled often, providing packed dirt and rocks and an easy trail to follow. The time to get to the top of Pikes Peak varies by hiker, but the average time is

between 6-10 hours

.

How long is the hike to Pikes Peak?

It’s a long, hard,

13.5-mile

climb uphill with a gain of about 7,400+ feet in elevation. Basically, it’s a half-marathon in hiking form. Please only attempt hiking Pikes Peak if you are healthy, able to hike long distances, able to navigate difficult terrain and able to perform high-cardio activity with low oxygen.

What is on top of Sandia Peak?

AN ELEVATED EXPERIENCE. America’s most breathtaking new dining experience —

TEN 3

— 10,300 feet above sea level at the top of Sandia Peak.

Can you drive to top of Sandia Peak?

Located just outside Albuquerque, the road to the summit, also known as Sandia Peak, is

totally paved

. It’s called NM-536 (Sandia Crest Scenic Byway). Starting at San Antonito, it is 21.40km (13.3 miles) long. It’s suitable for all vehicles.

What elevation is Albuquerque?

5,312′

Is the Sandia Crest open?


Area Status: Open

The Sandia Mountains are chock full recreational activities, for all seasons.

Are there mountains in Albuquerque New Mexico?

Exploring Albuquerque’s

Sandia Mountains

makes for a one-of-a-kind mountain vacation. You can hike in the foothills among prickly pear, cholla cactus and fragrant desert sage, or trek to the top of the mountains, where pine and fir trees line the ridges and valleys.

Is Pikes Peak a difficult hike?

Check out this 25.0-mile out-and-back trail near Manitou Springs, Colorado.

Generally considered a challenging route

, it takes an average of 13 h 23 min to complete. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.

Can you hike down Pikes Peak?

Getting Back Down the Mountain


You can always turn around and hike back down the mountain

, but many people opt to grab a ride back down from the Summit. Hiking to the top is an impressive feat in itself, so there’s no shame in relaxing in a car in order to get back down.

Is it hard to breathe on Pikes Peak?

It’s high enough to get altitude sickness

Unless you’re acclimated to this altitude, you’re bound to feel the effects.

The air is thin at the summit and holds about 60% of the oxygen your body is used to

. Prepare to feel out of breath as soon as you get out of your car.

Are there bears on Pikes Peak?

During the summer,

it’s not uncommon to see black bears roaming through local neighborhoods looking for leftovers

. If you were wondering why Coloradans have their trash locked down tighter than their mountain bikes, it’s because of these guys!

How long to hike up and down Pikes Peak?

On a good day, the average hiker can make it up in about

6-8 hours

. In the summer, the experienced folks at Barr Camp, which marks the middle of the hike, recommend you get to Barr Camp as early in the day as possible and try get to the top and be back below the tree line by 1 p.m. What do they recommend in the winter?

How long is Barr Trail from the top of the incline?

The difficult Manitou Incline and Barr Trail are tough workouts and great ways to take in the refreshing mountain air and achieve a great sense of accomplishment. Barr Trail is the

12+ mile

(one-way) hike gaining 7,800 vertical feet from Manitou Springs to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak-America’s Mountain.

Is Sandia tram the longest in the world?

Built in 1966,

the Sandia Peak Tramway is still the longest aerial tramway in the world

. It was designed by Swiss cable car engineers who saw it as the ultimate challenge. The terrain is so impassible that only two towers support the entire length of the tram, and the upper one had to be assembled by helicopter.

How high is Sandia Peak New Mexico?

10,678′

Is Sandia tramway safe?


The tram has numerous safety features

, including multiple emergency braking systems and a grounding system to protect passengers if the car is struck by lightning.

Can you drive up Sandia Peak in Albuquerque?


The all- weather, paved Sandia Crest Highway (NM 536) is the highest scenic drive in the southwest

. The Sandia Mountains were created by an uplift, leaving the forested eastern slope you’ll drive up, and a craggy, cliff-like western face.

Why are they called Sandia Mountains?


It is believed that the name Sandia (Spanish: “Watermelon”) was given to the mountains for the pinkish colour of their granite peaks

, although an alternative explanation is that the native peoples of the valley were given that name for their abundant crops of squash, the name later being transferred to the mountain …

How much does it cost to ride the tram in Albuquerque?

Rides cost

$25 round-trip for adults, $20 for students ages 13 to 20, $15 for kids ages 5 to 12 and free for kids ages 4 and younger

. The best way to get to the tram, which is located about 16 miles northeast of downtown Albuquerque, is by car.

What does Albuquerque mean in Spanish?

Origin of albuquerque

From Spanish Alburquerque (“

a town in Spain

”), after Spanish viceroy Francisco Fernández de la Cueva, 8th Duke of Alburquerque (1619–1676).

What’s Albuquerque famous for?

So what is Albuquerque, New Mexico known for? Albuquerque, New Mexico, is known for its

hot air balloon festival, unique geography, watermelon-colored mountains and an exotic river

. It is also known as a cultural center of the American Southwest, with its unique architecture and many museums.

What food is Albuquerque known for?

Albuquerque dining is best known for its unique local cuisine—

blending Native American and Spanish flavors

—and preparations with our signature ingredients: red and green chiles. The smoke-kissed flavor of freshly roasted green chiles and the earthy fruitiness of red chile sauce are the backbone of New Mexican cooking.

What’s the tallest mountain in Albuquerque?

Ten Highest Peaks Rank Peak Name m 1.

Sandia Crest

3255
2. North Sandia Peak 3184 3. Tridents 3097+

How much snow does Sandia Peak have?

Total Snowfall Average Base Depth 2018 – 2019 27′′ 14′′ 2019 – 2020 47′′ 16′′ 2020 – 2021 6′′ 0′′ 2021 – To Date

10′′


12′′
Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.