MountainBikeTx.com

Sandia Foothills
 Albuquerque, NM

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MapIt!

10+ miles

1-3

singletrack

network

GPS/Google (.kml)  |  see Links

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Trails 341, 342 230, 230A, 366, 365, and 365A

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Sandia Foothills overview   |  City of Albuquerque website

(505) 452-5200
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• May be confused with the Elena Gallegos Picnic Area, which share common trails.
• "Sandia" is Spanish for "watermelon."

Welcome to the Embudito Canyon trailhead of the Sandia Foothills The actual trailhead at Embudito Canyon Winding between the rocks early on Rocks, cacti, and loose sections make for an interesting ride A snaking section of singletrack as you head out into the foothills The trail goes on forever…well, to the mountains at least The singletrack is definitely rolling out here A view from the trail of the Albuquerque suburbs A sneak peek of the trail to come Many of these low areas get a little loose and sandy
Watch for hikers, especially on the descents, but on the climbs as well A partially rocky little climb Descending back towards the Sandias Trail markers can be found all along the trails Decisions, decisions. I chose Trail 342 this time Although it’s a T-intersection, head on up to Pino Canyon
Another entrance into the Sandia Nat’l Forest (no bikes) Carefully navigate around these large rocks Too much speed can sometimes be a bad thing Look, shade! The start of something beautiful
Note the winding trail behind the brush? This is what you see for a good minute or so…and it’s downhill Babyheads? These are some BIG babies! Narrow paths aren’t uncommon among the rocks The right angle, the right speed, no problem!
Looking out across the foothills Hold on tight - it’s a fast, bumpy ride from here Riding along the edge of a draw Looking across the draw at the trail you were just on A view of the trail and mountains in the distance
Skidding does nothing for you here – ask this guy Looking up one of the few not-so-gradual ascents This DH is tempting, but you’ll be hiking or granny gearin’ it back up To descend is to hike it back up

 ABQ Ride in the North Foothills     The Foothills Ride

  The Sandia Foothills may not be the most thrilling ride in the area, but they are definitely worth checking out, especially if you aren’t used to the elevation and dry air of Albuquerque. Although there are several trailheads to choose from, it is recommended to start out at the Embudito Canyon trailhead at the end of none other than Trailhead Ave.
  The trails that make up the Sandia Foothills are numbered as opposed to named. I’m not sure why that is, but numbers are better than no form of identification. From the trailhead you will start out on Trail 365 and follow its mild elevation changes for about 1.1 miles. Actually, you will continue to follow 365, but at 1.1 miles you will reach an intersection – just go straight. You will follow this along as you continue east towards the mountains, stopping periodically to look back out over the outer reaches of Albuquerque.
  The elevation changes throughout the foothills generally aren’t too dramatic, at least not the climbs (most of them, anyhow); however, you will encounter some rocky ascents, along with loose, sandy sections along the arroyos. Eventually you will come to another intersection that gives you a choice between taking Trail 342 or 305A. I think I was told to take 305A, but must have forgotten because I took 342. You will also see a stump with Pino Canyon painted on it and an arrow. That’s the way you want to go. After continuing up the gradual elevation increase that follows, you will reach a spot that allows hikers to enter the Sandia National Forest (see photo) – now the fun begins. Immediately following is a short, tight section laced with large rocks (boulders?) and followed by a curve that will teach you to mind your speed. A run or two down through some low ground and you will find yourself zipping down a stretch of winding trail that will test just how good your tires can grip in the turns.
  A little climbing, a few rock gardens and a bunch of big rocks later, you will be pleased to begin a long, fast descent down a weaving stretch that is laced with plenty of rocks big enough to make for a bad day. At the end of this it will suddenly turn left. You have a choice: 1) Do as I mistakenly did and turn right and continue on Trail 365, or 2) jump on Trail 230 and start heading in the direction of your vehicle.
  If you chose option 1, you won’t be overly disappointed; however, this intersection will serve as the starting point to an out and back ride and will involve some climbing (but also offers some serious descending). The trail runs through more rock gardens, a few gradual descents, a few gradual climbs, and one considerable climb as you approach one of the tram’s support towers and a big storage tank. Here you will be faced with another choice: Bomb down towards the Tram station trailhead (knowing you will have to granny gear it or hike it back up) or turn around and head back. As you descend, you have another choice, go straight or turn at the large rock on the left and hit some more rapid loss of elevation. Again, hike-a-bike or granny gear time on the way back.
  Whichever way you choose to go, you will eventually find yourself making the turn onto Trail 230 and enjoying every mile of the ride back. The terrain is pretty much what you have already experienced, so continue to enjoy the occasional rock garden, slight ascents, quick descents, and of course, the views both of Albuquerque to the west and the Sandias to the east.
~ MountainBikeTx.com(Aug 2009)

 

Sandia Foothills weather forecast

Last modified: 7 January 2016