Albuquerque: Elena Gallegos Short Loop
Save this 5.5-mile loop in the city foothills for after work and see for yourself the watermelon-pink sun- sets that nearby Sandia Mountain is named after.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Trail Facts
- Distance: 7.7
Waypoints
ESL001
Location: 35.1617584228516, -106.469802856445
S From S end of parking lot, head S on Trail #366 through 640-acre piñon-juniper habitat
ESL002
Location: 35.1535491943359, -106.471496582031
R @ 4-way onto Foothills Trail #365 N, the longest trail in the Foothills Open Space
ESL009
Location: 35.1537818908691, -106.469497680664
R @ T; continue on Trail #305A over soapweed yucca
ESL008
Location: 35.1576385498047, -106.465202331543
L @ Y; continue onto Trail #305A; note the vast Tijeras Arroyo to the S
ESL007
Location: 35.1615905761719, -106.463401794434
L @ T onto Trail #342; you may spot the elusive cougar traveling through a scrubby drainage
ESL006
Location: 35.1650390625, -106.45719909668
Continue on #341 SW; visible USFS trail up Pino Trail
ESL005
Location: 35.1701393127441, -106.466400146484
R @ Y onto Trail #341 heading SE; gawk at the Jemez Mountains to the N while rambling through scrub oak, cane cholla cactus, and blue grama grass
ESL004
Location: 35.1681594848633, -106.468399047852
Take Trail #230 N; soak in the tranquil twilight backdrop of the Sandia Mountains, named for their pink colors at sunset?sandia is Spanish for ?watermelon?
ESL003
Location: 35.1659317016602, -106.475997924805
R @ Y onto #230A; marvel at Mt. Taylor rising to the W
ESL010
Location: 35.1535377502441, -106.471366882324
R @ 4-way; follow #366 N to parking area