Foothills
The Sandia Foothills Open Space contains approximately 2.650 acres of steep sloped at the base of the Sandia Mountains. Elevation ranges from 5.720 feet to 6.800 feet above sea level.Plant species include a variety of grasses and wildflowers, cane cholla and prickly pear cactus. Juniper and pinon trees dot the landscape.
The numerous drainages support a wider variety of shrubs including chamisa, apache plume, three-leaf sumac and oak species.
Wildlife in the Foothills includes mule deer, coyote (I hear them every night), black bear, cougar, rabbit, rock squirrel (they carry plague, and yes plague is still endemic in New Mexico), lizards, and rattlesnakes - plus a variety of birds.
Traiheads
Ellena Gallegos - you have to pay 1$ of weekdays, 2$ on weekendsSpain Trailhead - free (I live here)
Embudito Trailhead - free
Menaul Trailhead - free
Copper Trailhead - free
Piedra Lisa Trailhead - which is further north, outside the city, 3$.
