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 Reporter |
Summary: A good hike on the East side of the Sandia Mountains. The trail is named 10K because it roughly follows the 10K line. Most of the trail is well shaded under pine trees and big aspen. The views from the ridge are beautiful and worth the hike. The trail takes you past all of the radio towers on the top of the mountain and to the Crest. The only downside of this hike is that the last 2 miles you have to hike on NM 563 back to your car. If you don't want to hike on the road it is possible to take the 10K South trail back to your car but this makes the hike considerably longer. Trailhead: From Albuquerque, go east on I-40 to Cedar Crest on NM 14. Go left on NM 14 for 6 miles to Sandia Crest turnoff on NM 536. Go 11.6 miles to the 10 K trailhead sign. There are signs and parking lots on both sides of the road. Go into the parking lot on the right. There is a sign for 10K North trail at the end of the parking lot. (Lat:35.20935 Lon:-106.43572) Trail Guides for 10K North: Hiking New Mexico by Laurence Parent (Falcon) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Summer, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: Sandia Ranger District, 11776 Highway 337, Tijeras, NM 87059, (505) 281-3304 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Will Brown, who has posted 4 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Submit your own review 
Reviewed by CWM on 8/26/2008 I am a native, this hike is literally in my back yard. The first two reviewers were way off base. They were on the west side of the Sandias. The eastern side has springs and streams with water. Ponderosa Pine, Douglas-Fir, and Aspens up higher. This trail has PLENTY of shade. I've seen all sorts of wildlife along it, deer and bear to name a couple. By the way, the 10K doesn't refer to the length of the trail, rather the altitude. It basically follows the 10,000 ft. elevation contour to where it meets up with the North Crest Trail, where you are given some great views. 
Reviewed by JJL on 9/5/2007 Great Hike did the 10K in 2 hours if it is actually 10k. I ran across a big buck in the woods, scared the crap out of me but gave me that good old me and nature feeling. Found only one confusing part of the trail description, and that would be that once you get to the ridge the blue blazes and trail changes from 10K trail to North crest trail. I just looked for the radio towers, followed the ridge and knew that the road was to my right so south was the correct way to go. The 2 miles down the road isnt so bad especially since you go up for most of the trail. Takes about a half hour to get to trailhead from downtown.
Reviewed by KMB on 9/21/2005 I agree with JJA - the other two reviewers are confused. 10K North trail like the name indicates is at 10,000 feet through spruce/fir and very nice aspen groves, which make for a good visit when the leaves change. Easyish hike (unless altitude is a consideration) with cool air - a nice escape from the big city below.
Reviewed by JJA on 7/27/2005 I don't think the other two reviews I saw of this trail were talking about the 10K in the Sandia's on the Cedar Crest side of the mountain. They must have been hiking on the west side which is a desert environment. The 10K trail is in the trees and a very nice hike 
Reviewed by BK on 2/11/2005 I was very disappointed in this trail, it was not interesting at all. I've been on many trails and this was the first one that I turned around on after 15 minutes cause I saw it wasn't getting any better. It was so dry and just desert. I don't see what the hype about this trail is cause there's really nothing to look at. The only nice part of the mountain is the cedar crest side where the ski lodge is. That's pretty over there but over here where you advertise the trail looks nothing like that. I want there to be more hiking trails on that side where there's true beauty. I wouldn't recomend this at all and no one should advertise it again until by some miracle we get a ton of rain that transforms it into a green place filled with tre
Reviewed by Ann on 2/11/2005 There was not nearly enough green. All I saw were desert plants for the first 3 hours and the view of albuquerque is sorry, there's nothing to look at but pollution. That trail is very boring. I am used to trails up north that actually give shade. A person can burn to a crisp without trees to block the beating sun here. I was disappointed and have to go to Jemez Springs, a 2 hour drive, just to see a REAL hiking trial with trees, and lush plants were it's not so dry. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: New Mexico Hiking, New Mexico Trails, New Mexico Hikes, Bernalillo County Hiking, Bernalillo County Trails, Bernalillo County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||