Hiking Zia Pueblo - White Mesa Center Spine Loop

The gypsum and mineral-rich White Mesa belongs to Zia Pueblo but the trails here are maintained by the Bureau of Land Management. First developed for mountain biking, with its unique geographical features and historical significance, this magical place is growing in popularity among hikers - so much so that the BLM recently built a second parking lot to handle the flow, especially during the winter months when trails at higher elevations are covered with snow.

Hiking Zia Pueblo White Mesa Trails, near Ojito Wilderness, New Mexico

To reach the trailhead, travel from either Albuquerque or Santa Fe on I-25 and take Exit 242 and turn left toward Bernalillo. Follow NM 550 West for about 20 miles, then turn left on Cabezon Road. You'll notice a big white mesa in front of you, and if you reach the town of San Ysidro you've gone about two miles too far. Almost immediately Cabezon Road veers to the left. Follow the signs for Ojito Wilderness/Zia Pueblo. From the turn-off, follow the rugged dirt road about four miles where you will cross a cattle guard. Park at the lot on the left side of the road. The trail head is directly across from the parking area on the right side of the road.

A hiker heads into the painted canyon, which leads up to White Mesa

The trailhead will lead you toward the mouth of a painted canyon, colored in light hues of blue, red and green by the various minerals that flow from springs nearby. You'll also notice a huge hunk of bright white gypsum clinging to the north wall of the canyon. This is where you will encounter your first elevation gain. While it's not very high, it's a bit steep and it can be difficult to get your footing. A walking stick helps, but it's still do-able without one. But be careful!

This is your first ascent and final descent - it's challenging but do-able

Once you reach the top of the mesa you will notice you are at a clearing where it seems vehicle have been doing donuts in the white gypsum soil. Straight ahead you will see a trail map. Get your bearings and follow the points 17, 18, 19, 22, 12, 13, 15, 16, and back to 17. This may seem like gibberish, but take a look at the map pictured here and it will all make sense. At point 17 you are back at the clearing. You will descend the same way you came up - and it's a bit more precarious going down, so again, be careful.

Check out the views from the hike's high point on a solid gypsum hill

Continuing along the trail described above, you will soon pass the highest point on this hike, at 6,060 feet elevation. Take in the amazing views. You will see the famous Cabezon Mesa sticking up on the horizon like a "big head". Also, notice the Jemez Mountains to the north, the Sandia Mountains back in the direction of Albuquerque and of course the basin that forms at the edge of the mesa with the Tierra Amarilla Anticline as its dramatic backdrop.

Pay attention to these junction signs to follow the loop described - or explore!

Here is some information on the historic and geographical significance of the region, provided by the BLM:

At the western edge of White Mesa, the Tierra Amarilla Anticline forms high, narrow mesa ridges. This classic example of a plunging anticline is visited by several university field schools each year. Fossil remains of rare dinosaurs, plants, and trees from the Jurassic period are located in the Morrison Formation. Natural erosion processes have exposed the bones of huge dinosaurs and large segments of petrified trees. These fossils are approximately 150 million years old! The longest dinosaur ever recovered, Seismosaurus, was discovered only a few miles west of the bike trails area in what is now the Ojito Wilderness. Paleontologists and geologists use this great variety of life to construct geologic timelines and interpret climate changes over the earth’s history.

Tierra Amarilla Anticline provides stunning backdrop at mineral spring

From the gypsum-capped high point you will follow the Center Spine Trail that will take you along a descending ridgeline into the valley. From here, it is easy to follow the trail straight up a hill in front of you to find some fascinating payoff - an active mineral-water spring and, just off the trail to the left and up some more, a sink hole left by a spring that has long dried up. Continue on the trail, which is an old jeep road, until you reach a point where the trail heads back to the right along another ridge. This trail - at Junction 12 - will lead you back to your starting point.

Center Spine rises up the mesa as seen from a cool sink-hole along the hike

Take your time and really explore the Center Spine Loop at White Mesa Trails

This truly is an amazing hike, and I highly recommend it, especially for novice hikers or for anyone looking for a nice conditioning workout in the great outdoors. Here are the trail stats:

Trailhead: On Cabezon Road, four miles from NM 550 just south of San Ysidro. From the turn-off, follow signs for Zia Pueblo/Ojito Wilderness down the rugged dirt road for about four miles where you will cross a cattle guard. Park at the lot on the left side of the road; The trail head is directly across from the parking area on the right side of the road. NOTE: There is a second parking lot a little further down which is where most of the mountain bikers who ride these trails begin their rides.
Distance: 4.5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: Estimated 300 feet/300 feet (twice)
Map: A free map is available from BLM here. This entire area is also well marked and mapped at most if not all of the junctions.
Hiking Time: Depending on your pace and how much you spend wandering around, this hike can take about two or three hours. But take your time - there is much to explore, and it's pretty hard to get lost since it is so open and well marked.
Best Times to Hike: This hike can be brutal in the summer but any other time of the year it can be hiked any time of the day. Just make sure you wear a hat and apply sunscreen regularly, even in the winter.
Difficulty: Easy. With the exception of the first ascent I mention where you might need to use your hands for balance, there is no climbing or scrambling. But you can do this hike at a good pace and will get an excellent cardio workout.

Making my way along the final portion of trail back to Junction 17

Please let me know if you try this hike, and if you're planning on checking it out feel free to leave me a comment below with any questions you may have. I'm always here to help! Also, follow me on Twitter @MyFitLife2Day, read my other blogs Man of Merit and MyFitLife2Day, and check out my Hubs at the popular site for writers, HubPages!

Hiking Albuquerque Sandia Wilderness - Embudito Canyon to South Summit

When most people think of hiking Albuquerque the famed La Luz Trail to the Tram comes to mind. But the vast Sandia Wilderness is a veritable hiking mecca with many incredible trails to be explored. Personally, my favorite is not the La Luz Trail but the trail that winds up Embudito Canyon to Sandia's South Summit.

View of Sandia's South Summit from the Embudito Trail

This 12-mile out-and-back hike is a very do-able day hike that is strenuous enough to give you an enormous sense of accomplishment. Whether you live in Albuquerque or are just visiting, you will want to check out the amazing hike that is the Embudito Trail. The Embudito Trail is more scenic than La Luz, in my opinion, with more expansive and widely varied views. I also love that the Embudito Trail isn't full of lazy tourists at the top - there is no road, no tram, and no ski lift. You really have to do some work to get there, and the people you meet along the way share the same passion for the true adventure of hiking.

The sun-drenched lower portion of Embudito Trail, Mt. Taylor in distance

The key to doing this trail - or any hike for that matter - is to be prepared. Depending on your pace, this hike can take between 6 and 10 hours to complete. Take plenty of water (4 to 6 liters is recommended), and plan ahead with lunch and snacks to keep up your energy throughout the day. Plan to set out from the trailhead as early as possible - check for sunset times and plan for 10 hours on the trail, even if you may be able to do it quicker. Also, this hike can be brutal in the summer since about two-thirds of the trail is under direct sunlight. Make sure you wear a hat, bring along sunscreen and re-apply frequently.

Sandia's South Summit in view - to the right of the massive rock formation

This is a moderate to strenuous hike. You will go through three major phases in the six-mile hike to the summit. The first two miles follow the scenic north wall of Embudito Canyon. The initial ascent is sun-drenched and the trail is lined with juniper, cholla and prickly pear cactus. At the two-mile mark the trail descends into an upper branch of the canyon, crossing over to the canyon's south wall. The second two miles are tree-covered. Here you will enjoy the shade of aspens and pines, including the stately Ponderosa.

Sweeping views from Sandia's South Mountain, Manzanos in the distance

Just before you reach the four-mile point the Embudito Trail arrives at Oso Pass. Here, the Three Gun Spring Trail joins the Embudito from the south and the Whitewash Trail comes in from the southwest. Turn left at Oso Pass and just beyond the junction you will find a great place to sit and have lunch. You'll need the energy to fuel your final ascent to Sandia's South Summit!

Don't celebrate too quickly - this is a false summit!

The last couple of miles on the Embudito Trail are quite strenuous. You will feel the burn as the trail rises steadily above the lower peaks of the southern Sandia mountains. Look up to your left and you will see a sheer rock wall - beyond that is the South Summit. Continue heading south and east on the trail for some time until you are nearing the crest. As you make your way diagonally across a steep slope covered in scrub oak, just before you reach the crest, keep your eyes peeled for a small cairn on the left side of the trail that makes a sort of switchback up the mountain's west face toward the summit. Turn left here and continue on. En route from here you will experience two false summits. Keep following the trail until it ends where you reach your goal - Sandia's South Summit.

The approach to Sandia's South Summit along a narrow, rocky path

Should you be up for the challenge of trekking up the Embudito Trail to Sandia's South Summit, here are some of the important details to help get you on your way:

Trailhead: Located at the end of Trailhead Road in Albuquerque, take Tramway Boulevard to Montgomery Boulevard and go east toward the mountains. Turn left on Greenwood Hills Road and then right onto Trailhead Road. The Emubdito Trailhead is at the north end of the parking lot at the end of Trailhead Road.
Distance: Some guide books say this trail is 11 miles out-and-back, but I say it's 12 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 3,400/3,400 feet (1,036/1,036 meters)
Map: A must-have map for hiking Albuquerque's Sandia Mountains is this GPS Powered Trail Map from Dharma Maps. A free map is also available from the Sandia Ranger District (11776 New Mexico 337, Tijeras, NM 87059).
Hiking Time: Depending on your pace, this hike can take between 6 and 10 hours to complete. Take plenty of water (4 to 6 liters recommended), lunch and snacks to keep up your energy.
Best Times to Hike: Plan to leave the trailhead as early as possible - check for sunset times and plan on 10 hours on the trail even if you may be able to do it quicker. This hike can be brutal in the summer since about 2/3 of the trail is under direct sunlight.
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous. The six miles to the summit isn't the hard part; Coming down is tough on the legs, so make sure you're in good shape for this one.

Celebrating the victory of reaching Sandia's South Summit

Once you reach Sandia's South Summit, celebrate your victory, have another snack, and prepare yourself for the descent. The six miles to the summit isn't the hard part; Coming down is tough on the legs, so make sure you're in good shape for this one. Pace yourself. Though you will want to hurry down, be careful not to slip and fall - the trail has some loose, pebbly soils and it is easy to make a misstep when you are already tired and longing to plop into the seat of your car. And don't forget to save water for that final two miles back down the canyon - that's when you will need it the most!

This is a unique hike in that it is nearly 100 percent within designated wilderness and a National Forest, yet you almost constantly experience views that remind you of the fragility of our world's protected spaces. I highly recommend this scenic hike the next time you're in Albuquerque. In fact, I would even say this hike is worth planning a special trip to the Duke City. Please leave me a comment below, and if you have any additional questions as you plan this hike, feel free to ask!

Happy hiking!

Learn more about the author at about.me/brian.schwarz. Follow HikeyHikey blogger Brian Schwarz on Twitter @MyFitLife2Day. Check out his other blogs, Man of Merit and MyFitLife2Day. And make sure to stop by Brian's Hubs on the popular writing site HubPages.