Outdoor enthusiasts planning summer hikes across the Sandias will have to break out the maps to find some new favorite trails. The Cibola National Forest will begin work on two major projects restricting visitor use and public access to the over 140 acres along the Sandia Crest area through fall of 2027.
Sandia Crest “Switchback” Hazard Tree and Fuel Reduction Project
USFS officials will work to remove hazard fuels and hazard tree removal in conjunction with vegetation thinning treatments around the Sandia Crest and New Mexico Highway 536 to promote forest health and resilience, as well as to limit threats to the vast antenna arrays on top of the Crest which are essential to local television and emergency communications, according to plan details reviewed by the Route 66 Independent.
(Pat Johnson, USFS)
Repeated outbreaks of insects and disease on the Sandia Mountains have contributed to a high number of dead trees on the mountain, officials shared. “High fuel-loading around the Crest presents significant risks to critical infrastructure that could be damaged or destroyed in the event of a high-severity wildfire,” they said in a statement.
Sandia Crest Recreation Area Renovation Project
When visitors return to the Crest in 2027, they’ll no doubt notice that the 1960’s-era visitors center housing a gift shop, shelter and observation decks have been removed. Additional upgrades to trails and parking areas are also planned as part of a $3.6M renovation funded by Congress through the Great American Outdoors Act.
(Pat Johnson, USFS)
The USFS says access to the La Luz Trail will remain open up to the Sandia Peak Tramway, and the Tramway will continue normal operations. However, hikers will not be able to access the Crest Trail or Crest Recreation Area from the La Luz Trail during closures. The Ten-3 Restaurant and Sandia Tramway facilities will not be affected by these closures. In addition, the historic Kiwanis Cabin will not be affected though trails accessing the cabin will be.
During the implementation of these projects, the Sandia Crest Recreation Area and nearby trails and recreation sites will be closed to the public for an extended period.
