Friends of the Sandia Mountains (FOSM)

Supporting Sandia Ranger District Since 1997

Notices and Highlights

See below for further details.



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.

New to Albuquerque or just new to the Sandias? Explore the many recreational opportunities our mountains offer. Please carefully read the Safety section.

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 that the FOSM trail maintenance crew doesn’t hike to fix a problem that no longer exists.


Click to read Albuquerque Journal article about Jenny’s responsibilities.

October 18, 2023 – Jamey Browning, Sam Beard, Dan Benton, Jerry Carroll, Joe Meade, and Lou Romero with trailer-load of wood ready to haul to church lot. Lou’s vintage splitter used to process the wood is at right. Photo credit: Cliff Giles

Scott Peterson, Mountain Christian Church Wood Ministry Leader, emailed the following note of appreciation to FOSM for the donation wood that the Sandia Ranger District and FOSM provided to them last winter:

I wanted each of you to know we were able to meet the needs of several elderly and others in the east mountains this winter with the wood that came from your projects on the crest (Sandia Ranger District) last year.  This was a blessing to many in our community, and the work was much easier for the Mountain Christian wood ministry workers with the wood already in firewood lengths and (being) larger wood than the typical pinion and juniper that is common in this area.  Thanks to each of you for your hard work last year and for partnering with us to bless those in need in our area.

Scott Peterson


FOSM members Jamey Browning and Steve Roholt were on the first flight up the mountain on the updated Tram. Jamey reported: “The ride is noticeably smoother with gentle accelerations automatically controlled by the computer.”


FOSM member and Sandia Ranger District volunteer Jamey Browning is working with the Forest Service and several rescue organizations to develop signage and maps to improve hiker safety on La Luz Trail.

The trail, one of New Mexico’s most popular hiking destinations year-round, can be very dangerous as exemplified by two recent, fortunately successful, overnight rescues. The mid-January rescue of three stranded hikers involved multiple organizations and culminated in a dangerous helicopter extraction of one of the victims. The danger and difficulty of this rescue are described in a dramatic article published in the Albuquerque Journal on January 18. The mid-March rescue of five out-of-town hikers by Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue involved the use of infrared-camera technology to locate the hikers on the snow-packed trail.

Jamey is working closely with Jonathon Yales of Cibola Search & Rescue and the Sandia Ranger Dsitrict to develop new signage and safety documentation that meets Forest Service requirements. The first tangible results of their efforts are warning signs and a map installed at the Lower La Luz Trailhead on January 10.

This effort is in response to a call for help from FOSM and Cibola Search & Rescue member Shannon Braune, who emphasized the frequency and severity of La Luz rescue missions during her presentation at our August 1, 2023 membership meeting.

Click to watch KOAT 7 report on March 13, 2024 rescue of five out-of-town hikers stranded in deep snow on La Luz Trail.
Click to read January 18, 2024 Albuquerque Journal article about a harrowing La Luz rescue.
Warning sign developed by Jamey and Jonathon
Map under development showing locations of “hot spots” – frequent rescue locations on La Luz Trail
Warning signs and map at Lower La Luz trailhead

Order Number 03-03-05-24-02

Albuquerque, NM, January 12, 2024 – The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands (NF&NGs) has issued an area closure order (Order 03-03-05-24-02) for the Cedro 4 Project Area on the Sandia Ranger District of the Cibola NF&NGs, described below and shown on the attached map.

This Order shall be in effect from January 12, 2024, at 0600 through May 1, 2024 at 0600, unless rescinded.

Purpose of this order is for the protection of public health and safety during mechanized thinning work in the Cedro 4 project area south of Forest Road 462.

This Closure Order includes the area south of Forest Road 462. Roads included within this closure order are as
follows:

  • Forest Road 12 from its intersection with Forest Road 462 (northern end of the closure) to its intersection
    with Lone Pine Trail (southern end of the closure);
  • Forest Road 13 from its intersection with Forest Road 462 (northern end of the closure) to just east of the
    intersection of Forest Road 13 and Cedro Peak Trail near Forest Road 252 (southern end of the closure).
    Trails included within this Closure Order are as follows:
  • Delbert’s Trail from its intersection with Chamisoso Trail (southern end of the closure) to its intersection
    with Forest Road 13 (northern end of the closure).
  • Mighty Mule Trail from its intersection with Forest Road 13 (northern end of the closure) to its intersection
    with Rattlesnake Trail (southern end of the closure).
  • Rattlesnake Trail from its intersection with Forest Road 12 (southern end of the closure) to its intersection
    with the Meadow Ridge Trail (northern end of the closure).
  • Meadow Ridge Trail from its intersection with Forest Road 13 (northern end of the closure) to its
    intersection with the Cedro Single Track Trail (southern end of the closure).
Click to read full announcement.
Click to enlarge map.

Click on the images above to read the full announcement and see an enlarged map illustrating the affected area and trails.


Click to access Forest Service website.

FOSM president Mike Madden advises: Pay special attention to trails at or near the colored areas on the map, at the Faulty/Sulphur junction, Cienega Horse Bypass, and Cienega Canyon, as these trails get heavy winter recreation use.


Click to enlarge.

Volunteer Opportunity – 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 here if you would be interested in assuming this leadership position.


Welcome, New FOSM Members!

Christine Neher – March 9, 2024

Judith Scarbrough – March 2, 2024

Emily Moore – January 29, 2024

Christopher Mcgrew – January 25, 2024

Allan Miltenberger – January 17, 2024

Laurie Lacey – January 8, 2024

Kerry Jones – January 5, 2024

Linda Shedd – January 2, 2024

Aaron Browning – December 18, 2023

Shawn Dietrich – December 9, 2023

Laura Leon – October 20, 2023

Lawrence Shapnek – October 19, 2023

Melinda Gonzalez-Hibner – September 25, 2023

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