Supporting Sandia Ranger District Since 1997
Notices and Highlights
Everyone
– We love our mountains!
– Severe weather possible this afternoon
– Slides from June 3 membership meeting available
– Forest Service seeks comments on Sandia Man Cave improvement project
– Check out new bird-watching webpage
– Forest Service issues public safety notice
– Forest Service announces Stage 2 fire restrictions
– FOSM organization and members receive Forest Service awards
– Eleven FOSM volunteers complete Adopt-a-Highway cleanup
– Sandia Ranger District seeking volunteer recreation stewards
Members
– Welcome our new members
– Paint crew leader needed
– New officers needed in 2026
– Time to report May hours
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Volunteer Opportunities
About Us
Who We Are
Our History
Trail Construction
Description
Reports and Photos
General Projects
Description
Reports and Photos
More About Us
Our Board of Directors
Our Awards and Recognition
Trail Maintenance
Description
Reports and Photos
Other Activities
Painting and Graffiti Removal
Youth Outreach
If you enjoy the outdoors and would like to give something back,
join Friends of the Sandia Mountains!
We Love Our Mountains*
Whether you are a hiker, mountain biker, cross-country skier, trail runner, or you just enjoy being in the Sandias, you know that our mountains are one of nature’s special gifts.
Have you ever wondered what you could do to help protect our mountains? Do you want to learn more about the animals and plants you find there? Do you like to meet people who share your concern for the Sandia and Manzanita Mountains?
Welcome! Please explore our website to learn more about the goals and many activities of the Friends of the Sandia Mountains (FOSM). We likely have volunteer opportunities that match your interests and abilities.
*Technically, it’s Sandia Mountain (singular), but we often use the plural to recognize the existence of northern and southern peaks.
New to Albuquerque or just new to the Sandias? Explore the many recreational opportunities our mountains offer. Please carefully read the Safety section.
Please check out our La Luz Trail webpage if you are planning to hike this iconic but too often dangerous trail.
An easy way to get involved is to join Cibola Trail Rangers, an email group consisting of hikers, bikers, XC skiers, horsemen, etc., who frequent the trails in the Sandia Ranger District and are interested in exchanging information on trail conditions on both an immediate and continuing basis. The group includes FOSM members trained to correct reported problems.
Please report corrective actions as well as problems so the FOSM trail maintenance crew doesn’t hike to fix a problem that no longer exists.
Take the Tram to the Top⏤an Unforgettable Experience!
Sandia Peak Tramway makes the top of the mountain easily accessible and one-way hikes of La Luz Trail possible, but be sure to check their website before starting your journey.
Weather and Road Conditions
Severe Weather Possible this Afternoon
June 4, 2025 – Kerry Jones writes: What a treat this active weather pattern has been for early June! Already close to 0.40″ of mainly gentle rain in our gauge past two days. Much of the east mountains missed out on the hail and heavy rain a couple of days ago. But that could change later today. Some of the high resolution models have been targeting 2-5 pm today for scattered strong to possibly severe storms in the area. The longer we can hold onto the clouds and scattered showers this morning, the lower the severe potential especially east of the Sandias.
Of course when it comes to predicting when/where thunderstorms are going to be hours ahead of time and well before they even develop is a nearly impossible challenge, but the models have been very consistent with the general trends today. We’ll see how the day goes, but just a heads up if you are out and about early to mid afternoon in the ABQ-Santa Fe corridor.
Slides Available from June 3 Membership Meeting
FOSM board member and Sandia Ranger District volunteer Jamey Browning described trail mapping including how our smartphone hiking apps get their up-to-date trails data to a near standing-room-only audience.
The Sandia Cave Improvements Project will address public safety, repeated vandalism to the site, and current visitation demands that are increasingly impacting the safety, environment, and the visitor experience. The Forest Service is proposing a series of upgrades to the current infrastructure that have been designed to help the Sandia Ranger District manage the site at a level commensurate with its status as a National Historic Landmark, Traditional Cultural Property, and Significant Cave.
Presentation materials from this and past meetings as well as information about future meetings can be found here.
Comments Sought for Sandia Cave Improvements Project
The Sandia Cave Improvements Project will address public safety, repeated vandalism to the site, and current visitation demands that are increasingly impacting the safety, environment, and the visitor experience. The Forest Service is proposing a series of upgrades to the current infrastructure that have been designed to help the Sandia Ranger District manage the site at a level commensurate with its status as a National Historic Landmark, Traditional Cultural Property, and Significant Cave.
To learn more about the proposal and how to participate in the public scoping process, please visit the project webpage at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/projects/sandia-cave-improvements-project.
A print copy of the scoping letter, which includes the proposal, will also be available at the front desk of the Sandia Ranger District Office, 11776 HWY 337 Tijeras, NM 87059 and the Supervisor’s Office, 2113 Osuna Rd NE Albuquerque, NM 87113.
Please submit comments no later than June 30, 2025.
Bird-Watching Webpage Added to Site
May 23, 2025 – Webmaster Cliff Giles wrote: FOSM Members/Volunteers, thanks to the several of you who responded to my request for help with an inquiry about finding rosy finches in the Sandias earlier this week. Special thanks to Mark Aspelin, who pointed the inquirer to his blog providing step-by-step instructions.
Our website is not just a tool for communicating with FOSM members. The Recreation page and its subpages get hits from all over the world. For example, 559 Google searches during April were directed to our website with 128 landing on our Hiking webpage (and 119 landing on a separate La Luz Trail webpage created with the help of Jamey Browning).
What little I know about birding wouldn’t fill a hummingbird’s nest. I found the recent communications interesting and with Mark’s help added a Bird Watching webpage providing information to birders who happen upon our site. Please spread the word to any bird watchers you know.
Forest Service Issues Public Safety Notice: Northern Goshawks Defend Breeding Territory
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – May 21, 2025 – The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands is advising visitors to the Cienega and Sulphur recreation sites on the Sandia Ranger District that a pair of Northern Goshawks are defending a mating territory along the Amijo, Pine Drop, Cresta, and Valle Trails. Northern Goshawks often defend their breeding territories during nesting season with aggressive behavior, including loud vocalizations, swooping down, and, in rare cases making contact with intruders.
We are strongly encouraging visitors to avoid this area. Visitors that choose to recreate in this area should move quietly and calmly, wear wide brimmed hats, eye protection, and stay alert. If a Goshawk is encountered through alarm calls or defensive behavior, leave the area immediately while keeping eyes on the bird.
“The Northern Goshawk is a large and powerful forest dwelling bird of prey that depends on mature forests to thrive. The Goshawks have started to defend their breeding territory within the Sandia Mountains. Forest Service staff have received reports of these Goshawks aggressively swooping down on forest visitors. The Goshawks will continue to defend their territory through the middle of August, when the young fledge and venture out on their own. This unique species is an important part of a healthy forest ecosystem, and it is important that the public let these impressive raptors have the space and safety they deserve to raise their young successfully. Choosing another part of the district to enjoy is safer for both the Goshawk and for you.” Andrew Ellis, Wildlife Biologist – USDA Forest Service – Sandia Ranger District.
Visitors to the Sandia Ranger District are encouraged to explore other recreation sites and trails on the Cibola National Forest at: www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/recreation
Further information contact the Sandia Ranger District:
11776 Hwy. 337, Tijeras, NM 87059 (505-281-3304)
Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts to Implement Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
Effective Thursday May 22, 2025
Order Number 03-03-00-25-07
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – May 19, 2025 – The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands will implement Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on the Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts located within the State of New Mexico as described per order 03-03-00-25-07 and as shown on the attached maps.
This Order will be in effect on May 22, 2025, at 8:00 AM, and shall remain in effect until August 31, 2025, at 8:00 am or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.
The purpose of this Order is to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during periods of high fire danger and severe fire weather conditions.
Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit the following activities:
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal, coal, and briquettes.
- Operating a generator, chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine for felling, bucking, skidding, processing, road building and woodcutting or firewood gathering capable of igniting a fire.
- Welding, or operating any acetylene or other torch with an open flame.
- Blasting or using any type of explosive.
Exemptions of Stage 2 fire restrictions:
- Persons using a stove or grill that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or pressurized liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels.
- Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order).
- Persons operating generators with an approved spark arresting device in the area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three (3) feet of the generator.
- Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
- Purchasers of Commercial Timber Sale Contracts will follow the limitations included in C(T) 7.22# – Emergency Fire Precaution Schedule – Table A, as provided in the contract.
FOSM and Several Members Receive Forest Service Awards
May 16, 2025 – FOSM President Mike Madden writes:
About 60 people attended Tuesday’s SRD All Volunteer Appreciation Event. Special thanks goes to Aryn LaBrake of Public Lands Interpretive Association (PLIA) for having the food catered.
Ken Born, Sandia District Ranger, presented FOSM with a SW Region Volunteer and Service Award, ‘in recognition of volunteer contributions in LEADERSHIP in fiscal year 2024, to conserve and manage natural and cultural resources for the SW Region of the Forest Service.’
Julie Padilla and Jen Medina-Gray presented individual awards to the following:
- Bob Lowder and Byron Garner for leading the Monday Crew – “Outstanding Leadership”
- Sam Beard for leading the Wednesday Crew (and for working on the district almost every day) – “Enduring Service”
- Laura Leon for leading the Thursday Crew – “Outstanding Leadership”
- Joelle Hertel for leading Special Projects – “The Visionary”
- Lou Romero for leading Youth Programs and Donation Wood – “Community Service”
- Jamey Browning for GPS, maps, kiosk and trail signs – “The Extraordinaire”
- Luis Cuadros for his community engagement and a deep interest in improving his trail building expertise
Click on any image to enlarge.
Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup Completed
May 13, 2025 – Steve Roholt writes:
Today, 11 FOSM volunteers completed our semiannual highway cleanup. Our section of Highway 536 is between mile marker 4-5. We finished at 11am.
Volunteers were Pauline Ho, Rick Buss, Betsy Galloway, Dan Benton, Sam Beard, Susan Gregory, Cliff Giles, Sim Cook, Gordon Eatman, Mike Madden( kneeling) and Myself( photo credit).
Forest Service Seeking Volunteer Recreation Stewards
April 3, 2025 – Julie Padilla, Sandia Ranger District Recreation Staff Officer, issued the following bulletin:
We are advertising though Volunteer.gov for up to 4 volunteer Recreation Stewards on the Sandia Ranger District to assist this season with recreation duties, such as site cleaning, landscaping, public interaction and light maintenance duties, and are offering free RV camping with full hook ups at the District Office, or limited hook ups at Capulin, Cienega, or Doc Long picnic areas.
We would greatly appreciate assistance in sharing this opportunity out far and wide! If anyone belongs to any social media RV groups, knows of anyone who might be interested or has any other ideas for sharing, please do.
Member Messages
Welcome, New FOSM Members!
Jon Cooper – June 2
Bart Vanden Plas – May 29
Jay Wulf – May 23
Scott Forman – May 5
Nancy Gloman – April 27
John Braly* – April 11
Bill Perkins – March 31
Ira (Bud) Bickford – March 19
Noel Wagner – March 15
Craig Tucker – March 11
Roger Squires – March 11
Richard Fagioli – March 3
Jim Houle – March 3
John McNett – March 2
Carolyn Grady – March 2
Brandon Sanchez – February 26
John Samuli – January 26
Caleb Kirby-Meyer – January 23
Mimi Junick* – January 5
Scott Nicolaysen – December 26
*Life sponsor
Volunteer Opportunities
Paint Crew Leader – Thanks, Anne Hickman for your years of faithful service as leader of the paint crew. Anne has stepped down due to other commitments. Please use the form on the referenced pages if you would be interested in assuming this leadership position.
Vice President – Cliff Giles has announced that he will not seek reelection after 5 years as FOSM vice president. Please let a member of the board of directors know if you are interested in assuming this position in October.
Treasurer – Jeff Young has announced that he will not seek reelection after his current term as FOSM treasurer. Please let a member of the board of directors know if you are interested in assuming this position in October.
Time to Report Volunteer Hours for May
Expect a monthly call for hours going forward during Forest Service fiscal year 2025 (October-September).
*The weekly crew leaders (Bob, Sam, Laura) have already provided their crew’s hours by individual into our FY2025 FOSM hours tracker, so if you signed an attendance sheet, your hours are already covered.
*Basically, report any and all individual time spent in a FOSM activity which pertains to the District.
Additional guidelines for reporting hours can be found here.
