Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.

It is still possible to summit Mt. Sandia from this trail and enjoy views of Albuquerque, despite the Forest Service work closures of Sandia Crest through 2027. Hikers should be aware that the trail becomes much harder to follow after the Domingo Baca trail ends and you enter the forested pass uphill to the peaks. There’s two colored wooden posts marked TWA illustrating the beginning of the crash site but very little marking otherwise because the trail is not maintained. The steep scramble begins 4 miles in and there are parts where you will have to boulder over. Once you reach the treeline you only have a half mile to go, but it’s very steep and eroded at that point so you will have to hold onto trees and roots. You’ll know you have made it when the TWA trail emerges onto a well maintained gravel summit loop. Backpackers should be warned that there are essentially no flat areas in the last 2 miles going up to the summit but past the massive boulder rock scramble there is a flat clearing behind you and to the left. Honestly if you’re backpacking I’d recommend taking La Luz or the tram down to sea level instead of an out and back because with a heavy load it would be a very sketchy hike back down TWA to the trailhead considering the erosion.

Went up towards the Kiwanis area and took a great company photo for our new Mexico branch Christmas card. The trails were great and the weather was great that day! Still quite a few miles from civilization and redue of needed out there so pack accordingly. Take nothing from the wilderness, leave nothing in it.

Being an overweight man this trail was not easy. I was and am still a little sore but still a nice trail.

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.