Sandia Ranger District is seeking to revive its vistor orientation program halted by the closure of the Crest House and the pandemic. FOSM members are encouraged to volunteer to serve either at the Interpretive Hut at the Doc Long Picnic Area or at the lower Tram terminal. Hours are flexible, and training will be provided.
If you or anyone you know would like to join the team, simply fill out the form below or contact the Sandia Ranger Station, 505-281-3304 (ext. 1). All that is needed is a love of the mountains and an interest in sharing this with visitors, some of whom come from other countries.
Crest House
The Crest House is closed until further notice by the Forest Service.
FOSM volunteers provide visitor orientation at the Crest House atop Sandia Peak during the months from May through the Balloon Fiesta in October under the leadership of Don Smiset.
To help promote the Crest Gift Shop and encourage visitors to stop by the Visitor Center, signs have been placed outside of the building including a plywood cutout of Smokey Bear. These volunteers talk to an average of 25 to 30 people per day; hand out free area maps and a FOSM-created brochure; give suggestions on hiking trails; monitor trails for hazards; pick up trash around the Crest parking and viewing areas; and talk to children interested in hearing the story of Smokey Bear.
Interpretive Hut at Doc Long PA
The Doc Long Picnic Area had been used for picnicking as early as 1920, when the original Crest Highway was constructed. It was named in honor of Dr. William Long, a forest pathologist, who studied tree disease in the area and was partially constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Interpretive Hut, located within the picnic area, has long been used as a place to welcome visitors and provide information about the area. For many years, it was staffed by Forest Service personnel, then switched to being staffed by local Volunteer Site Hosts, then was closed during the pandemic. Since then, a dedicated Forest Service intern, Tony Powell, renovated the hut, giving it a fresh new look and updated displays and information.
New volunteers are needed to share this little gem of an interpretive center with the public. Days, times and hours are flexible, and training will be provided. However, volunteers who are willing to dig into the depth of resources provided and learn on their own are appreciated. If you enjoy engaging with the public and sharing the natural wonders of this area, you are encouraged to sign up by using the form below!
Lower Tram Terminal
The Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway has been a gateway to the most stunning views in the Sandia Mountains since May of 1966. For many years local Volunteer Site Hosts were available at the Four Seasons Visitors Center at Sandia Peak to welcome visitors and provide information about the area. It was necessary to discontinue the volunteer effort during the pandemic; however, this year we are looking at establishing the volunteer effort at the Tram.
After the pandemic, the Tram changed visitor routing at the upper tram terminal such that visitors are no longer routed through the Four Seasons Visitors Center until they are ready to return. Because of this, it was felt that a better location for Site Hosts would be at the lower Tram terminal. Days, times and hours are flexible, and training will be provided. However, volunteers who are willing to dig into the depth of resources provided and learn on their own are appreciated. If you enjoy engaging with the public and sharing information about the Sandias, you are encouraged to sign up!
Site Volunteers will be based in the public area on the ground floor of the lower Tram terminal. This is a busy area and is a great spot to welcome visitors and provide information about the Sandias. Volunteers can step outside to chat with folks waiting to board the tram and can move indoors during inclement weather. Visitors can step inside and chat with volunteers as well.
If interested, please contact coordinator Jamey Browning using the form below.
Last updated 2 weeks ago