Sally's turn to lead a hike and she chose one that we have not done in quite awhile. We started at the Tram and headed north along the West base of the Sandia Mountains. This is a great choice for this time of year as there is little shade and can be quite hot during the summer. The trail meanders 2.6 miles along the various outcroppings of the the mountains and through some arroyos. It is rated "moderate" starting at an elevation of 6460 feet and ending at 7400 ft. It was a beautiful hike along huge boulders and fall-colored bushes. Along the way we took a side trail that led us to Jaral Cabin. The cabin is the ruins (and I do mean ruins) of an old ranger cabin, most likely built by the CCC in the 1930's. It was used by Forest Rangers as a base to monitor the western side of the Mountains until the early 1960's. The total hike was ~5.5 miles taking into account the side trail to the cabin...and rounding up as usual! 😛
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| The Hoofers: Judy A., Karen, Carol (one more hike and she's a full Hoofer!), Lynda, Betty, Helene, Kathleen, Sally (our leader), Barb, Jan, |
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| and Rose |
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| Heading out on an overcast day |
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| Right away we see some huge boulders, I got up close and personal with 3 or 4 smaller rocks a few moments after I shot this picture |
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| The trail meandered up and down so our total elevation gain was way more than 1000 ft. |
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| Fall Colors |
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| This is one of the prettiest areas we hiked through |
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| Taking a side trail to the remains of the Jaral Cabin |
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| Truly just a pile of rocks, however you can still see the cabin's small fireplace |
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| Outside is a pond that holds water from the "Spring Creek" |
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| Someone etched in a warning! 😝 |
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| Instead of tracing our steps back to the main trail, we find another trail that will meet up with it further north |
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| On the way we find a small "meditation" garden for those who have little time to meditate -- that's a barrel ring lying next to it😕 |
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| Back on Tramway Trail |
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| Starting to get some blue skies and sun! |
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| Mountain Mahogony |
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| Having to do more and more climbing now |
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| Some very healthy looking cacti |
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| This brilliant orange caught my eye and I had to zoom in on it |
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| Some very old Live Oaks growing wherever they can find soil |
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| To me it looks like a rock creature eating a rock |
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| The size of the boulders are amazing |
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| Taking a breather while enjoying the view |
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| This huge boulder will crush that house if it ever starts rolling... |
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| More beautiful cactus as we keep on climbing |
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| Looks like someone or something stole a large rock from this pile...wonder how far they got before they decided that carrying that weight just wasn't worth it |
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| Wish I knew what this was...but it sure is a brilliant orange |
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| So, for all the Hoofer rock hounds some pretty ones along the trail |
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| And just for Kathleen who thought the coyote scat was a pretty purple...remnants of prickly pear fruit |
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| For those who like Lichen |
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| As we get closer to La Luz Trail, we get some great views |
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| We finally make it to the sign! |
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| Time for lunch, I take pictures before anyone has a chance to put food in their mouths: Carol, Karen and Judy A. |
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| Betty and Jan |
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| Lynda, Kathleen, Helene, and Sally |
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| Rose and Barb |
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| Heading back after lunch |
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| The last wildflower? Scarlet Gilia (Skyrocket) |
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| I don't understand this, but can't tell you how many times I find men's undershorts along a trail...😱 |
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| Dark clouds coming back in |
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| Taking some shots before we leave the La Luz Trail area |
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| View of Albuquerque |
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| Looking south along the ridges of the Sandia Mountains to Four Hills and the Manzano Mountains in the far distance |
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| A large den in the rocks |
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| I believe this is La Cueva Canyon |
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| Taking a break for some conversation... |
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| and a water break |
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| More clouds covering up our sunshine |
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| My now famous over-the-shoulder shot |
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| In spite of the clouds I still can capture some fall colors |
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| Don't you just hate it when you have to climb up a trail on the way back!?! |
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| And here comes the wind...a dust storm hits Albuquerque, fortunately not much blowing along the trail |
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| Circle Lichen on granite |
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| Where there's a will there's a way...as seen by this large Live Oak growing in between boulders |
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| The last Foothills Paintbrush for 2017 |
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| Barb caught sight of this huge white mushroom off the trail |
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| Losing sight of the West Mesa |
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| Porpoise Rock |
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| Back to the Tram |
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and End of the Trail
A beautiful hike on a beautiful NOVEMBER day, gotta love the Great Southwest!
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