Supporting Sandia Ranger District Since 1997
Notices and Highlights
Everyone
– We love our mountains!
– Forest Service seeking comments regarding Decommission and Demolition Project
– La Luz trailhead parking and access road closed August 11 – September 10
– Forest Service issues public safety notice
Members
– Join us at September 2 membership meeting to learn about medallion trees
– Welcome our new members
– Paint crew leader needed
– New officers needed in 2026
– Time to report July 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 want to give something back,
join Friends of the Sandia Mountains!
Our volunteer work focuses on single-day activities in the Sandia Ranger District. If you are looking for opportunities ranging across New Mexico and often involving multi-day projects, check out our partner organization New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors (NMVFO) at https://nmvfo.org.
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.
FOSM member Sally Lowder maintains a comprehensive database of reported trees and their disposition.
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
Comments Sought for Sandia RD Recreation Improvement Decommission and Demolition Project
August 18, 2025, Albuquerque, NM – The Forest Service proposes the decommissioning and demolition of several structures and amenities across the Sandia Ranger District, including vault toilet facilities (4), recreation residences (2), and a mixed-use building (i.e., Sandia Crest House) located on the Sandia Ranger District. This action is needed to address health and safety concerns, agency special use permit requirements, scenic integrity objectives – and to improve the overall recreation experience for visitors.
Please submit comments no later than September 8, 2025. Electric Comments must be submitted to sm.fs.r3cibolamail@usda.gov, Subject Line: Sandia Recreation Improvement Decommission and Demolition Project. Additional ways to comment are also described in the scoping letter.
The scoping letter and maps can be found on the project website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/projects/68470. A print copy of the proposal will be available to view during regular business hours (8:30am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday) at the front desk of the Sandia Ranger District, 11776 HWY 337 Tijeras, NM 87059.
La Luz Trailhead Parking Area and Access Road Closed August 11 Through September 10
Albuquerque, NM, August 1, 2025 – The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands (NF&NGs) has issued a temporary closure order (03-03-05-25-13) for National Forest System Roads (NFSR) 333A, and the La Luz Trail Head Parking area effective August 11, 2025, through September 10, 2025. The purpose of this order is to protect the public’s safety while the La Luz Pavement Restoration Construction project is being completed as described below and shown on the attached map.
Work expected to be completed in the area includes:
- Pothole repair along NFSR 333 and 333A.
- Mastic crack sealing along NFSR 333 and 333A.
- Chipseal, fog seal, restriping, and parking stopper replacement along NFSR 333, 333A and within the La Luz Trailhead parking area
The La Luz parking area will be closed in its entirety and NFSR 333A will be closed at the intersection of NFSR 333A/333E.
Various single lane closures are also to be expected throughout NFSR 333 from its start at the National Forest boundary to its end at the NFSR 333/333A/333D intersection. At times La Luz Trailhead will not be open or accessible for trail access or parking. Please check the Cibola National Forest website for up to date information https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/recreation/la-luz-trailhead-and-la-luz-trail-137.
Recommended alternative recreational opportunities: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/recreation
- La Cueva Trailhead – La Luz trail can be accessed from the La Cueva trailhead. This will add approximately ½ mile to your trip for one way travel.
- Embudito – This trail provides plenty of views of the Albuquerque area and will take you to South Sandia Peak as well as the South Crest Trail.
- Three Gun Springs – This trail offers a more gradual accent to Oso Pass a South Sandia Peak with great view of the Manzanos
The official closure order 03-03-05-25-13 posted on the Cibola NF & NGs website under Alerts & Notices.
For more information on this order contact:
Sandia Ranger District in Tijeras, New Mexico, (505) 281-3304
Cibola NF&NGs Forest Supervisor’s Office – Albuquerque, NM, (575) 346-3900
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)
Click on any image to enlarge.
Member Messages
Learn about the Medallion Trees at September 2 Membership Meeting
Date and Time – September 2, 6:00 PM (Note earlier starting time)
Location – Sandia Ranger Station conference room
Program Abstract
People have speculated for years about how small metal medallions providing information about the germination date of the tree and an historical event of about the same time came to be on dozens of trees scattered across the Sandia Mountains. A recent article in the Albuquerque Journal stated: “The exact origin of these medallions remains a mystery. While they were positioned to cover a hole in the trees where a core sample was taken to determine their age, it’s unclear exactly who was responsible for providing the complimentary history lesson.”
Many of us have enjoyed countless hours hiking the mountains searching for the trees and photographing the medallions.
The story of these medallion trees will be told by a close friend and a son of the man who created them.
Speaker bios
– Mike Coltrin is a physical chemist by training and was a member of the technical staff of Sandia National Laboratories for 37 years before his retirement in 2017. He has enjoyed hiking in the Sandia Mountains for more than 40 years and is the author of the Sandia Mountain Hiking Guide. He created the Friends of the Sandias website serving as a member of the FOSM board of directors and webmaster from 2005 to 2021.
– John Holmes is the third of five children born to David and Arlene Holmes. He grew up in Albuquerque and enjoyed many hours exploring the Sandia Mountains with his dad. His professional career was in the jewelry business in Albuquerque.
Note – We anticipate this could be a standing-room-only event; therefore, we are inviting only Forest Service personnel and FOSM members. The Sandia Medallions Facebook Group has over 170 members, but the legal capacity of the conference room is 58 people. Please arrive early. The door will be shut should the room reach capacity. We plan to record the presentation for later viewing.
Click here to view materials from previous meetings as well as information about future meetings.
Welcome, New FOSM Members!
Christopher Cudia – August 26
Douglas Binder – August 19
Susan Morro* – August 8
Iris Meyer-Guthman – July 12
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
*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 July
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.
