Trail Running in Albuquerque, New Mexico: La Luz Trail | Sage Canaday
Just a couple miles up the excellent climb on the La Luz Trail!
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Full Hike (WM/S): Following the Light High Above Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque patiently awaits, every morning, for the first rays of sunlight. Which do not come fast enough, to disperse warmth on a once-remote outpost. Present day characterization depicts an urban populace dealing with the familiar scourges of urban living: crimes, traffic, worsening public education, and others. Often seen as culturally overshadowed by Santa Fe just 60 miles to the northeast, The Duke City necessitates examining: Who lives here? Who are the people looking east everyday and seeking the rising sun, shielded by a 10,000-foot escarpment?
They are a mixed bunch. The eccentric, anti-establishment artist who chose to vacate Santa Fe. Others drawn by a low cost-of-living and pleasant climate. Hispanics are a major and influential cohort. In opposite, the substantial but mostly inconspicuous urbanized Native Americans need a spotlight.
But opportunities are present. Celebrated neighborhoods and colorful characteristics lure newcomers. Consider Old Town; Route 66; the Rio Grande. There is rich industry. And tech. For leisure times, numerous outdoor activities exist within and outside city boundaries, especially at the abutting Sandia Mountains. On a good day, which would be many, one might choose hiking the La Luz Trail to Sandia Crest.
The hike is 14.4 miles total out-and-back and places finishers a mile above the city, where unobstructed views in three directions are far-reaching due to the high prominence—the western panorama includes much of Rio Grande Valley and Albuquerque proper, then many miles beyond the volcanic field and West Mesa. Optionally, hiking effort can be cut in half by utilizing one of the world's longest aerial tramway. Plus, well-timed visitors can relish the fantastic annual hot air balloon festival, speckling the sky and enhancing an already vibrant, historic metropolis.
Photos:
Route: La Luz Trail-Crest Spur Trail
Type: Out-And-Back
Distance: 14.4 mi.
Elevation Gain: 3638 ft.
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Date/Time: 2019-09-28 07:42
My Thoughts:
Viajé buscar la luz, pero en lugar de eso, un cielo lleno de color me aguardó. But please pardon my poor Spanish. It is New Mexico, after all. I have some exposure to the culture and customs. I have been here before.
The first time I went through New Mexico was to follow Route 66. After Santa Fe and many near-abandoned towns, I entered Albuquerque on the pre-1937 alignment. The Rio Grande stayed mostly to my right. I coasted past bands of neon lights that were just becoming alive at dusk. And, on my left, was a distant mountain range—watermelon colored and all.
Years later, as I transitioned across climate zones on the La Luz Trail, a rocky path and quaking aspen groves marked when the ascent became difficult. I had left the desert landscape below. A final push through the steep Crest Spur Trail offered only sporadic solace. In those early morning hours, I reached for the light, as was the slowly awakening city.
#Hiking
Winter Hike on La Luz Trail
La Luz Trail Feb 2017. Albuquerque, NM. Cibola National Forest
La Luz Trail New Mexico
Yvan and Nancy in New Mexico on a hiking trip
Places to see in ( Albuquerque - USA )
Places to see in ( Albuquerque - USA )
Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city, sits in the high desert. Its modern Downtown core contrasts with Old Town Albuquerque, dating to the city’s 1706 founding as a Spanish colony. Old Town is filled with historic adobe buildings, such as San Felipe de Neri Church, 5 museums, and shops selling Native American handicrafts. Nearby, The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center traces the area’s tribal history.
Although it is the largest city in the state, Albuquerque is often overshadowed as a tourist destination by Santa Fe, 60 mi (97 km) to the north. But Albuquerque has a number of great attractions in its own right, with pleasant scenery, colorful history, and a spectacular hot-air balloon fiesta in the fall.
Albuquerque was founded in 1706 as a small Spanish settlement on the banks of the Rio Grande and was named for the Duke of Alburquerque (hence Albuquerque's nickname, The Duke City). In the 1880s the railroad came to town, and almost overnight a new city grew up around the train tracks a couple of miles away from the original settlement. This New Town became the hub of commerce for the state, and the city grew exponentially (eventually the New Town, which today is Downtown, and the original Old Town settlement were joined to become part of the same city).
Central Avenue is a principal east-west artery, running roughly parallel to I-40 and through Downtown just west of I-25 and past the University of New Mexico (UNM for short) just east of I-25.
The Heights are the eastern part of town closest to the Sandia Mountains. You may also hear reference to the Foothills, which are the most extreme eastern part of the city, right at the base of the mountains. Uptown is a business and shopping district located in the Heights at I-40 and Louisiana Blvd.
The North Valley and Los Ranchos de Albuquerque (technically a separate community from Albuquerque) encompass the area north of I-40 between I-25 and the river. The South Valley is the area west of I-25 south of downtown. The Westside is all the suburban neighborhoods on the western side of the river. Rio Rancho, a separate community from Albuquerque, is the metro area's largest suburb and can be considered a northern extension of the Westside.
A lot to see in Albuquerque such as :
Petroglyph National Monument
Sandia Peak Tramway
ABQ BioPark
Old Town Albuquerque
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Albuquerque Museum
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
Cibola National Forest
ABQ BioPark - Botanic Garden
National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
Downtown Albuquerque
Cliff's Amusement Park
Boca Negra Canyon
Tingley Beach
ABQ BioPark Aquarium
San Felipe de Neri Church
Rio Grande Nature Center State Park
Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum
Old Town
Rattlesnake Museum
La Luz Trail
Explora
National Hispanic Cultural Center
Kimo Theatre
Elena Gallegos Open Space
Sandia Peak Ski & Tram
Rio Grande Zoo
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge
A Park Above
Old Town Plaza
Balloon Museum Drive Northeast
El Vado Motel
Paseo del Bosque Trail
Los Poblanos
History & GHOST Tours of Old Town
Maxwell Museum of Anthropology
Rinconada Canyon Trail
Hinkle Family Fun Center
Roosevelt Park
Musical Highway
Sandia Foothills Open Space
Historic Old Town
Turquoise Museum
Piedras Marcadas Canyon
Civic Plaza
New Mexico Steam Locomotive
Mariposa Basin Park
ABQ Surf n' Slide
Embudito Trail
( Albuquerque - USA ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting Albuquerque . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Albuquerque - USA
Join us for more :
La Luz Trail, Sandia Crest, New Mexico
top of the la luz
Thoughts from Places: La Luz Trail, Albuquerque
Ryan takes you along on the hardest and yet most rewarding run he's ever completed. La Luz is home to an amazing race each summer, but there's a reason it's held in the summer...
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La Luz in January
Made a couple mile hike up into the Sandias on the La Luz trail. Various musics provided freeeeely by Sony!
Rattlesnake along the La Luz Trail
So....back story. Bender Oak and Pepper the dogs were with me for a nice breakfast and hike in the Sandia Mountains. We stepped away from out picnic area so Pepper could sniff something out and go potty. Well, we got mixed up in where we were and had to bushwhack thru cactus to get back to the main trail. We were FEET from the trail when I stepped OVER this guy then saw Pepper jump up next to him! Yeah, we need to get to know our surroundings better.
Hiking Vlog Week 2: A Long Way up the La Luz Trail
Sorry for the upload delay! We've had some weird connectivity issues out here in the Southwest!
Week 2 of the La Luz Trail and it's kicking our lazy bums! But we're determined to somehow hike to the top of the Sandia Mountains and back down!
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Riding Harley Style La Luz New Mexico
Day trip New Mexico: City of Rocks and the Catwalk Trail
Join us on our adventures through New Mexico. This Day trip takes use to some of the most awesome spots in southwestern NM. We visited the Catwalk Trail as well as The City of Rocks. This also doubles as our entry in IMG #2minutetrip contest.
Music by Neptunica
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60 Hikes in 60 Miles of Albuquerque Product Overview
Holman's describes the features and benefits of 60 Hikes in 60 Miles in Albuquerque 2012 Trail Guide. Available to purchase at holmans.com.
Pino Trail, Albuquerque, NM
Best Hiking Trails in New Mexico. TOP 15
Best Hiking Trails in New Mexico. TOP 15: La Luz, Canyon, Tsankawi, Goose Lake, Dale Ball, Pino, The Gila Loop, Zuni-Acoma, Pine Tree, Atalaya Mountain, Trampas Lakes, Bandelier National Monument, Catwalk, Alkali Flat, Wheeler Peak.
Albuquerque Trail in the Mazano Mountains, New Mexico
Cantering on the Albuquerque trail in the Manzano Mountains, New Mexico
Welcome to Distinctive Sandia Heights!
For more details:
Sandia Heights is located in the Far Northeast part of Albuquerque & is situated at the base of the Sandia Mountains. The community is comprised of distinctive, upscale, one-of-kind custom homes on spacious view lots with close proximity to shopping, fine dining, entertainment, “The Sandia Peak Tram”, plus walking, hiking, & biking trails. Sandia Heights is within the La Cueva school district & close to The Albuquerque Academy & other fine public & private schools.
Sandia Heightsis one of the 25 Best Affordable Suburbs in the United States! With low crime, reasonable commute time & good schools. Sandia Heights in Albuquerque, New Mexico is home to many proud residents. The contemporary community is filled with Adobe style custom homes plus Southwest natural sagebrush & cactus landscaping.
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Record cold in Albuquerque New Mexico
Albuquerque set a record low temperature of -7 F (-21.6 C) in early February 2011 surpassing the previous low set in 1939. The wind chills drove it down much further. Many house and main water pipes froze all over the state and Albuquerque causing major headaches for many. A natural gas interruption to many communities made it worse. This is a drive I took up into the foothills of Albuquerque a day or two after the record cold. It had warmed up considerably and I wanted to see how much snow we had received. We had a lot on top of the mountain but not too much here.
The villages of Angel Fire and Eagle Nest in Northern New Mexico boasted the coldest temperature in the country at -36 F (-37.7 C) on Thursday morning. Five other cities set all-time records, Moriarty -34 F, Pecos -31 F, Ruidoso -27, Capitan -22, and Socorro -14. Moriarty is about 40 miles East of Albuquerque on the East side of the Sandia Mountains.
Interesting United States Weather Facts and Extremes:
La Luz Trail:
Visit City of Albuquerque New Mexico | The Duke City | CityOf.com/Albuquerque
Known as the heart of New Mexico, Albuquerque has grown to be the largest city in the state. Filled with diverse culture, rich history and breathtaking landscapes. It provides visitors with the true taste of the southwest. With an award winning climate and year around sunshine, Albuquerque is the perfect destination for outdoor activities. Enjoy hiking, horseback riding or mountain biking at the Sandia Foothills open space. Where the La Luz Trail Head which offers beautiful panoramic views of mountains, trees and the vast desert terrain. Or enjoy a stroll at the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden which offers 36 acres of gardens, waterfalls, ponds and more. Are you afraid of heights? Face your fears and take an exhilarating balloon ride in the hot air balloon capital of the nation or hang out at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The largest hot air balloon festival in the world. While you're enjoying the warm weather and gentle breeze from the spectacular Sandia Mountains, be sure to check out the Hinkle Family Fun Center, The Rio Grande Zoo, Tingley Beach and many other attractions for some family fun in the sun. Whether you're in historic districts like Old Town, or urban districts like ABQ Uptown, you're sure to find great food, affordable shopping, and a diverse range of arts and entertainment. Albuquerque offers a wide range of museums and art centers including The World's Largest Rattlesnake Museum, The National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, Nob Hill Art Gallery and much more; not to mention its various year-round festivals such as: The New Mexico State Fair, The National Fiery Foods and BBQ Show and The Go Downtown Arts Festival. In the mood to party? Albuquerque’s got you covered! Enjoy a cocktail at the One Up Elevated Lounge, or the Andaluz Hotel Ibiza Rooftop and catch a magnificent view of the city's eastern skyline and mountain tops; or get your dance on at the Lotus Nightclub & VIP Ultra Lounge for some of the hottest DJs, dance music and light shows like no other. It’s truly a nightlife experience you won't want to miss. Come immerse yourself in rich culture, brilliant weather and the vast entertainment Albuquerque has to offer, the true southwest awaits you.
For more information, visit where you could find things to do in the City of Albuquerque, local Government, romantic date ideas with your significant other, or find information or tickets on your favorite sports teams. Even pay your utilities. All brought to you by the business men and women in the 400 local business categories.
Albuquerque shopping and services to choose from, enjoy a variety of restaurants in Albuquerque or check out some popular attractions. CityOf.com More Local… Faster.
Day Hike: Six Trails Loop ~ Sandia Mountains ~ Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Hike report, trail map, and elevation profile:
Music
Today's Hike in One Minute: Adventure bensound.com
Animated Trail Map / Ending: Country Boy bensound.com
Camera
Sony AS200V/R
Editing Software
Adobe CC