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BadgerSummitSeeker - Sep 3, 2009 11:03 pm Date Climbed: Mar 31, 2009
Sandia PeakAwesome views down into Albuquerque. Logged so many miles the past couple of days that my legs started to cramp up a bit. Enjoyed watching the hummingbirds on the observation deck at top.
Garon Coriz - Aug 2, 2009 10:28 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2009
Via Knife Edge of the ShieldStarted at Piedra Lisa Trailhead, up the Knife Edge of the Shield, along the crest to Sandia Peak, and onto the tram for a easy, knee-saving ride down. Some kinds folks were nice enough to give us a ride back to the car.
Liba Kopeckova - Jul 24, 2009 10:03 pm
many times...I live currently at Sandia foothills, and I hiked, ran to the top of Sandias many times using different trail. I think that La Luz is the most scenic one, but Pino trail is nice too - more isolated and empty.
Alex Wood - Jun 24, 2009 12:44 am Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2009
From the TramHiked it from the tram with my family....great views but wayyy overused...A storm rolled in later that day...Wayyy easy from the tram, too easy...but still a great peak
Garon Coriz - Jan 19, 2009 12:11 am Date Climbed: Jan 15, 2009
Traverse from South SandiaDifficult but rewarding snowshoe trip from Embudito.
Boriss Andean - Nov 18, 2008 10:18 pm Date Climbed: Nov 18, 2008
Route Climbed: La Luz TrailStarted hiking up from Juan Tabo Parking Lot at 9:45 am. Got to the summit (3,255 m/10,678 ft) at 12:45 pm. Nice views of the Albuquerque area. I haven't seen such a long switchbacks in my life. No wonder it is 14 miles RT. Got to the car at 3:00 pm. Just in time to go watch a movie (The Alps) in Albuquerque.
scooter12ga - Jun 2, 2008 1:04 pm Date Climbed: Mar 15, 2008
All year long!Endless summer hikes, backcountry trekking, climbing, etc... A favorite training run for me is the Pino trail which gains elevation very quickly once you get past the flats. Favorite routes: La Luz, Pino, Crest Trail, Ski Area.
MoapaPk - Jun 1, 2008 10:44 pm Date Climbed: Apr 20, 1982
Many timesMany, many times, including a few moonlight trips up La Luz. XC skied to top from 2300' down.
davebobk47 - May 23, 2008 3:47 pm Date Climbed: May 23, 2008
vis La LuzWas wonderful for the first half, then snow hit. 25 degrees, 55mph winds at the top but I still made it. Would like to do it again since I wasn't able to see a thing the second half of the hike.
asaking11 - May 22, 2008 5:55 pm Date Climbed: May 18, 2006
La Luz TrailLots of fun. Did it with a good friend. We met at the top and she parked her car there. Then we drove to the bottom in my car and hiked to the top. When we got to the top we found out she left her keys at my car at the bottom. So we had to hike back down to the bottom. Next I want to go and do the knife edge of the Shield.
hans.schenk - May 18, 2008 9:00 am Date Climbed: May 17, 2008
Spectacular La LuzI hadn't hiked this yet because it is so popular...but now I can see why it is so popular! It is a great trail with a good grade and spectacular views. It has a bit of an alpine feel to it! I would recommend this trail to anyone who comes to Albuquerque.
jfrishmanIII - May 14, 2008 12:53 pm Date Climbed: May 13, 2008
La LuzGreat trail! No significant snow left, aspens were greening up, lots of flowers.
Baarb - Mar 29, 2008 6:17 pm Date Climbed: Mar 21, 2008
Sweet!Wow, awesome route, long and arduous and treacherous even in the snow but so worth it! And plenty of geocaches too! ^_^ Take a lot of supplies if you're doing it in the winter / early spring in case you feel like you want to back track!
Deb - Dec 18, 2007 7:38 pm
Via Rambler station wagonYeah, OK so I was 4 y/o....I see other SPer's get credit for riding on their Dad's backs. :/
I remember vividly looking down into town from the top and seeing so many different colored rooftops. My Dad crashed sledding on a metal disk, then my tongue stuck to a popsicle. What a fantastic day!
CheesySciFi - Nov 17, 2007 10:07 am Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2002
My first summit!I started out near the bottom of the ski lifts, and started walking briskly uphill. I soon found out that hiking at 8,700 feet above sea level is not quite the same as 87 feet. My heart started pounding and I was gasping for air. After I slowed down, I made it to the top just fine.
forjan - Nov 4, 2007 11:33 am Date Climbed: Nov 3, 2007
La Luz TrailNice morning hike to the top (Sandia Crest house). Cool but calm & sunny. Just under 4 hrs car-to-car.
forjan - Oct 15, 2007 12:00 pm Date Climbed: Oct 13, 2007
Knife Edge of the ShieldThis is by far the most exposed, airy and spicy 4th class route that I've soloed. A windy day on the ridge added to the alpine feeling. At one point just by the prominent notch, I thought about turning around completely. Test every hold as the rock is not 100% solid. Took the Sandia Peak tram down where a friend picked me up back to Albuquerque.
Art Vandalay - Jul 5, 2007 6:48 pm
Been there a bunch of timesI've hiked up La Luz several times. The last time I was there though, was at the end of a 15 mile traverse from I-40 over South Sandia Peak. That's a cool hike.
weeds19 - Mar 21, 2007 1:04 am Date Climbed: Nov 11, 2001
Many a timeI've ascended this peak quite a few times by foot, bike, car and tram. I even proposed to my wife on the summit overlooking Albuquerque on a brisk November day. The Sandias help to make Albuquerque a fun place to live.
lizrdboy - Feb 25, 2007 10:52 pm
Many ups and downsThe La Luz trail used to be in my back yard... wish it still was.