Supporting Sandia Ranger District Since 1997
Notices and Highlights
Everyone
– We love our mountains!
– Slides from July 1 membership meeting available
– Forest Service announces relaxation to Stage 1 fire restrictions
– FOSM works with Talking Talons Youth Leadership (TTYL)
– Bernalillo County and Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District announce volunteer workday
– Forest Service issues public safety notice
– Sandia Ranger District seeking volunteer recreation stewards
Members
– Welcome our new members
– Paint crew leader needed
– New officers needed in 2026
– Time to report June 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
Slides from July 1 Membership Meeting Available
Click here to view presentation materials as well as materials from previous meetings and information about future meetings.
Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts Downgraded to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – June 18, 2025 – With increased live fuel moisture levels and green up, the Cibola NF & NGs leadership has lowered previously implemented Stage 2 fire restrictions to Stage 1 fire restrictions on the Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts effective June 18th. See maps attached.
Stage 1 fire restrictions mean fires, campfires, charcoal grills, and coal and wood stoves are allowed only in developed campsites where agency-built fire rings or grills are provided for use on the Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts.
Campfires are prohibited at all dispersed camping sites on the Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts per this Stage 1 order. Stoves, lanterns or heaters fueled by propane or other liquefied petroleum fuels may be used district-wide in areas cleared of flammable materials within three feet of the device, if they meet manufacturer’s safety specifications and have on/off switches. Smoking is allowed only in enclosed vehicles or buildings and developed recreation sites. Chainsaw use is permitted.
Forest managers consider several factors for determining fire restrictions, including current fire danger and fire activity, current and predicted weather, fuel moisture levels, availability of firefighting resources, and local, regional and national fire preparedness levels.
While previous precipitation brought some relief to these areas, fire managers ask the public to always practice fire safety with anything that can spark a fire. Leaving your campfire unattended is illegal year-round. Campfires must be dead out – cold to the touch – before you walk away. Fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices are always prohibited on national forests.
The official stage 1 fire restriction order for Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts (03-03-00-25-12) is posted on the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands Alerts & Notices
Mt. Taylor and Magdalena Ranger Districts remain in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions until further notice:
- Mt. Taylor Ranger District: Stage 1 Fire Restriction effective April 18 (order 03-03-02-25-05).
- Magdalena Ranger District: Stage 1 Fire Restriction effective May 22 (order 03-03-03-25-08).
Any fire related information and updates will be posted on the Cibola NF & NGs website, New Mexico Fire Information website, and the Cibola NF & NGs Facebook & X pages.
For more information contact the appropriate district office:
Mt. Taylor Ranger District: 1800 Lobo Canyon Rd., Grants, NM 87020 (505-287-8833)
Magdalena Ranger District: 203 First St., Magdalena, NM 87825 (575-854-2281)
Mountainair Ranger District: 40 Ranger Station Rd., Mountainair, NM 87036 (505-847-2990)
Sandia Ranger District: 11776 Hwy. 337, Tijeras, NM 87059 (505-281-3304)
FOSM Working with Talking Talons Youth Leadership (TTYL) Crew
June means it time for us old-timers once again to enjoy being around a delightful group of hard-working young adults. Each year at about this time Talking Talons Youth Leadership (TTYL), Sandia Ranger District, and FOSM partner to provide an opportunity for a half-dozen or so TTYL participants to gain boots-on-the-ground experience working in the Cibola National Forest. This year’s activities focus on a major project to restore dilapidated fencing around Kiwanis Meadow on Sandia Crest.
The TTYL crew’s work with FOSM ended on Wednesday, June 18. Details and photos from this year’s activities (and previous years’ activities) are available here.
Bernalillo County and Ciudad Soil & Water Conservation District Planning Volunteer Workday
June 12, 2025 – Bernalillo County and Ciudad Soil & Water Conservation District are planning a volunteer work day on August 2 at the TCWRP (between Los Vecinos Community Center and A Montoya Elementary School), primarily focused on controlling invasive non-native vegetation. Annie Montes will provide updated information about work day scheduling as the date approaches.
Your participation will be much appreciated!
Steve Glass, Board Chair
Ciudad SWCD
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.
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!
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
John Samuli – January 26
Caleb Kirby-Meyer – January 23
Mimi Junick* – January 5
*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 June
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.
