Nothing beats the absolute quiet of an early morning above the city 🌄

#SandiaMountains #SunriseHike

TBT This is very early in the morning eight years ago today on the Rio Salado near Zia Pueblo. I was off to see the Black Place and the Bisti Badlands and stopped to look at the rising moon just before sunrise.

#tbt #january #newmexico #riosalada #sandiamountains #moonrise #predawn #landscapephotography #jonathankeeton #artistinportugal

Albuquerque Twilight Panorama — The sprawling lights of Albuquerque shimmer below the peaks of the Sandia Mountains at twilight. This breathtaking view from Sandia Peak showcases the beauty of the New Mexico landscape, blending urban and natural elements seamlessly. It's a peaceful and awe-inspiring sight.

#Observing #Sightseeing #City #Albuquerque #NewMexico #SandiaMountains #SandiaPeak #Usa #AweInspiring #Dramatic

Northern Lights easily visible to the naked eye from Albuquerque, New Mexico! I thought the Sandias were named for the pink appearance of the mountains, not the sky...

#aurora #northernlights #albuquerque #newmexico #sandiamountains #sandiaheights

The Manzano Mountains: The Apple of My Hiking Eye

When you visit or move to Albuquerque, generally one of the first things you hear about is how wonderful the Sandia Mountains are to hike, climb, trek, scale, etc. The La Luz Trail is regularly listed among the top trails to trek both locally and statewide. And there is no doubt the Sandias are beautiful, especially when seen near dusk, when snow-covered, or when towering storms grumble atop them.

That being said,to this peak-climber and hiker, the lesser-known and more laid-back Manzano (Apple) Mountains located just to the south of the Sandia Mountains and southeast of Albuquerque are equally magnificent and frankly provide outdoor enthusiasts with a more enjoyable and varied hike. Probably best known to locals for the 4th of July Trail due to the litany of fall colors that can been seen on this trek, the Manzano Mountains offer a rich variety of hiking opportunities.

Both ranges are quite unique in the fact that the drier (desert-like) side is on the western slope are wetter (more wooded) side is on the eastern slope — completely opposite of most all mountains ranges in the Northern Hemisphere. Generally for hikers, this means you scale the western slopes in the cooler months of the year and eastern slopes in the warmer ones. The amount of snowfall on the eastern slopes is considerably higher on the western slopes.

What I truly love most about the 30 mile long Manzano Mountain Range is their remoteness and lack of crowds, especially compared to the Sandias. This allows you to take in their rugged beauty without being bothered by the noise and actions of others. It also gives a better chance for observing the subtleties of nature in all its glory.

Three trails in particular are personal favorites of mine in the Manzanos:

Manzano Crest Trail – splendid vistas in literally every direction — east towards the High Plains, west towards the Rio Grande Valley, and north and south along the spine of the mountain range. The main trail is 20.1 miles long, all of which is within or abutting the border of the Manzano Wilderness Area, with an optional 5.9 mile Pine Shadow spur. Can’t wait to trek the trail’s entire length beyond the segments near Capilla Peak, and Red and New Canyons hiked to date.

Red (Colorado) Canyon Trail – in the spring or after monsoon season rains, this steep, 2.4 mile long trail has you crossing a small spring fed stream multiple (nine) times and reveals two lovely waterfalls. Several rugged rock outcroppings also adorn this route.

New (Nuevo) Canyon Trail – a more gradual 2.0 mile long climb than Red Canyon that provides stunning views across varied ecosystems along the way.

If you have the opportunity, be sure to check out one or more of the scenic hiking trails traversing the Manzano Mountains. While the 4th of July Trail is the best known, there are others with outstanding scenery and wonderful solitude.

Peace!

#CapillaPeak #environment #fun #geography #hiking #history #landUse #ManzanoCrest #ManzanoMountains #nature #NewCanyon #NewMexico #RedCanyon #SandiaMountains #trails #travel #walking

Albuquerque makes the best rainbows.

#albuquerque #newmexico #sandiamountains #sandiaheights #rainbow

In Memory, TWA 206

https://burque.social/display/c2e04488-1567-b5fe-4467-501959626556