This page provides excerpts from recent reports by CTR members or others about trail conditions in the Sandias. A separate page provides information specific to La Luz Trail conditions. Further information and pictures can be found on the Sandia Snowshoe Classic and Winter Scenes pages during winter.
January 24, 2026 – Lauri Dodge reported: I went up to the crest at 8:15 this morning, gate was open and I followed 2 plows all the way to the top. I snowshoed the course and yes, it was snowing an inch an hour up there! About 4″ when I started and about 5″ when I finished. I was the only tracks in the new snow so my late Christmas present got here!
I saw DOT and BCSO heading up when I was coming down so I suspected they were closing the gate. By then, the road was a snow packed icy mess again. Down below it is really muddy in spots due to the sanding the plows area doing.
I’m attaching a couple of pics but the parking lot would have been the big problem for the race. It was completely snow covered. Getting folks off the mtn would have been the next issue. All in all, it was a very good decision!
Hopefully these pics will send from my phone, here goes… first is going up behind the plows, second is the crest parking lot, third is going back down with new snow accumulating.
December 22, 2025 – Steve Roholt reported: I was up for a hike (in the Cienega/Sulphur/Doc Long area) this afternoon. Nice weather and trail conditions were quite good. Some of the north-facing areas have snow/ice/mud, but the trails were mostly dry. The FOSM Thursday crew has done a lot of work out here lately, and the trail quality shows.
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.
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.