Snowshoe the 10K Trail in Sandia Mountains near Albuquerque

Introductory Overview

The 10K Trail in the Sandia Mountains near Albuquerque offers one of the best winter experiences for snowshoers seeking a scenic, well-maintained route. This trail, named for its elevation of approximately 10,000 feet, provides a challenging yet accessible route through high-altitude forests with stunning panoramic views. During winter, fresh snowfall transforms the trail into a pristine landscape of pine, fir, and aspen, making it a top destination for outdoor winter recreation.

Adventure Guide to Snowshoe the 10K Trail

Trail Overview & Conditions

Location: The 10K Trailhead is accessed via the Sandia Crest Scenic Byway (NM-536), approximately 45 minutes from Albuquerque.
Distance & Difficulty: The trail runs 4 miles out and back, with moderate elevation changes, making it suitable for beginner and intermediate snowshoers.
Scenery & Landmarks: Expect breathtaking views of Cibola National Forest, glimpses of Albuquerque below, and frequent encounters with snow-covered meadows and dense conifer forests.

What Makes It Special

The 10K Trail stands out due to its consistent snowfall and varied terrain. Unlike steeper Sandia trails, this route offers a mix of gentle inclines and rolling terrain, ideal for maintaining an enjoyable snowshoeing pace. On clear days, visitors can see all the way to Mount Taylor and the expansive western horizon. Wildlife sightings, including mule deer and red-tailed hawks, add to its appeal.

Local Insights

The Sandia Mountains’ east side retains snow longer due to reduced sunlight exposure, ensuring better conditions than other Albuquerque-area winter trails.
The 10K Trail connects to other notable routes like the Crest Trail and South Crest Trail, offering options for extended snowshoeing adventures.
A US Forest Service parking pass is required at the trailhead, so plan accordingly.

Visitor Tips

Best Time to Visit: December through February offers the most reliable snow depth. Check conditions before heading out.
What to Bring: Waterproof snowshoes, trekking poles, insulating layers, gloves, hat, and sunglasses (due to reflective snow glare).
Getting There: From Albuquerque, take I-40 East to Exit 175 (NM-14 North), then follow NM-536 to the 10K Trailhead. Drive time: 45 minutes.

Adventure Map

Reviews

Meandering Murphis6 years ago

10K Trail North is always a good hike. I've been here in several different seasons/weather conditions and it's never disappointed. I've hiked this North side more due to the fact I really like how it opens up to the mesa and has awesome views. It's a moderate hike along an evergreen softened trail that reminds me of some of my favorite Smokies trails. See you soon! Namaste

Laura Tapia5 months ago

One of my favorite trails in the Sandia mountains! The end of the trail meets up with the North Crest trail and there is a beautiful overlook as a reward for making it!

Deanna Gonzalez6 months ago

So many different trails you can take at this head and they have all been equally nice for different reasons. It's one of my favorite getaways from Albuquerque in the summer to escape the extreme heat. I like a lot of trails around the mountains, but this is for sure in the top 3. I suggest paying online before you go up the mountain or have $5 and a pen to pay at the station to park for the day. I always see deer going to the parking area.

Amy Louise Skorheima year ago

This is a perfect trail. Easy to do in the late morning and be back home by 3 PM or so. I took my six-year-old all the way to the peak. We had sandwiches up there, enjoyed the view, then meandered back down. The white fir trees were dropping their cones which smell devine. Excellent shade for most of the way. Serene, lots of birdsong. Not crowded, but enough people coming and going to say hello to every once in a while. All dog owners respectfully had their pups on leashes. Trail was clean and well-maintained. Lush undergrowth. Plenty of native plant life to identify. Bring your field guide! Restorative to the soul.

Paul Blasea year ago

Amazing trail with the awesome reward of the Del Agua Overlook at the end. Would say probably 6/10 in difficulty as there are a ton of uphill/downhill elevation changes, a lot of granite, and many roots in the path. A few areas with some downed trees, but nothing that’ll prevent you from moving along. Recommend a trek pole to assist with the inconsistent and uneven portions of the trail. Plenty of spots to take a rest if need be. Not a ton of traffic. Inexperienced hikers can expect to spend 4-5 hours out and back. Apple Watch tracked 5.4 miles from parking lot to the overlook and back.