Perfect New Years Day

“I had my first opportunity to get out today, in a long, long time. Time for a ski tour!

I headed up the Sandia Peak Tramway from 6000+ feet to Sandia Crest at 10,000+ ft. The tram is 15 minutes from my house, the tram ride takes about 10 or 15. There were very few on the ride up. About 4 skiers, three of whom were skaters and weren't going to be going far up there. The last was an elderly woman, not going far either. The rest were out of town tourists going for a ride and a view.

Left the upper tram terminal, and followed the Service road north for a mile, seeing only a handful of XC skiers and one snowboarder hiking in to a hill. No downhill skiers at the top yet, not enough snow.

The Service road ends at the road to Sandia crest, no more skate skiers! I cross the road and see a dozen people putting on snowshoes so I hustle and beat them onto the trail. Ellis trail follows an a road cut through the forest where a road was proposed, but never built. It's a roller coaster ride with some white knuckle downhills and some heart thumping climbs. In the next 15 minutes I see two other skiers heading back to the trailhead, and then see nobody for the next three hours. Silence. No traffic noise, no people chatter, no airplanes overhead. Only the sound of me puffing and the wind.

The day started surprisingly sunny, considering that snow had been predicted. During my lunch (leftover chili con queso on tortillas) the clouds rolled in-literally. I was in them. At times I couldn't pick out the trail 20 yards in front of me.

The trail ends at Del Agua overlook, a spectacular view to the west, of Albuquerque and Mount Taylor out by Gallup. Not today. All I could see was gray.

I ski down some untracked snow, looking for another trail I know, the trail where I left the Trail Mojo crystal I found last summer, but run out of time and can't quite get there, and I head back.

Finally I see a snowshoer, but nobody else till the road crossing. What a zoo. Everybody in Albuquerque must be there, learning to XC ski, sledding and hiking in to snow board. The tram down is full, mostly of tourists. Down the tram, out of the clouds and back into the city. Back to work tomorrow. :(

10 miles or so, 5 hours of skiing. I'll take it!

If you are interested, here is a map of the area. It's big, you have to scroll around. Find the tram and start there.

Sandia Mountains Map”

“Thanks for the report and the ski pics, Pathman.... I like ski pics.

I was up to Whistler for New Years skiing, but it wasn't quite picture takin' weather.... maybe better luck next week.

I did manage to tear up a wrist though. Either that, or someone snuck a golf ball in there, while I wasn't lookin'. He He”