Recent reports of trail conditions from Cibola Trail Rangers (CTR) members and others will be posted on this page. Reports of snow conditions near the Crest and upper Tram terminal are included as a proxy for conditions on upper La Luz.
Be aware that conditions can change quickly particularly during winter. Know the trail conditions before you start. Call the Sandia Ranger Station at 505-281-3304 for current trail conditions. If returning via the Tram, check their website or call ahead at 505-856-1532 to make sure they are open. Cell phone coverage is not guaranteed along the trail.
Reports
December 6, 2025 – Kerry Jones reported: There’s about 30 cm (~12”) of snow depth at 10K using the snow stake. I estimated about 6” at my photo point near the Gravel Pit and South Crest junction. As usual, a lot of variability depending on wind loading. Overall, the trails were in good shape for snowshoeing. I broke trail on Double Eagle to KoM. Still several exposed rocks on Gravel Pit but not bad. (Click here for photos.)
December 5, 2025 – Steve Roholt reported: General conditions for winter recreation — The Service Road, Klaus Trail, Lower Switchback trail and Kiwanis meadow trail have excellent early season coverage, Still a few obstacles to dodge but very skiable. The recent grooming has really helped and things are shaping up nicely. (Click here for photos.)
I saw several skiers and snowshoers out enjoying these fine early season conditions. It was 23 F at Ellis Parking.Some wind and drifting happening. The recent fresh snow softened things up and it stayed cold enough so that waxing was easy. Saw several freestyle (skate) skiers, snowshoers and classic/ backcountry skiers.
I layered up clothing. It was fairly cold. The weather forecast calls for gradually warming temperatures, but still cold enough to preserve the snow base.
December 5, 2025 – Canyon Young reported: I haven’t been up the La Luz since the snows started, but Cliff’s info below is as solid as you’ll get. I’ll add that the new snow on Wednesday night fell on top of snow that was already on the ground up in the high country from previous storms that occured within the past couple weeks. So, I would suggest being prepared for small amounts of snow on shaded slopes in the lower reaches of the trail, and roughly 10-18 inches of total snowpack in the upper 2 miles of the 7.5-mile trail (in the rockslide area, as Cliff mentions below), with possible wind-blown drifts that are much deeper. It’s winter up there.
December 5, 2025 – Cliff Giles reported: The Sandia Peak Ski Area reports 4 inches of snow over Wednesday night. We received about 2 inches at my house located at 6,000 feet in the westside foothills, so I expect you’ll have snow all the way up the trail particularly in the shadowed (north-facing or forested) sections and especially on the rockslide area above the 5-mile point.
Seasonal information on hiking La Luz as well as recommended equipment (including winter traction devices) are provided in the documents linked to below.
