Up on the Crest

[Edith Grove]

I remembered everything else: a bottle of water, my hat, my car keys, sunglasses, sun screen, my mother. But I forgot my camera. In searching Flickr for Creative Commons photos to use to illustrate this post, I came across a collection from an old friend from Arkansas (thanks, Clinton Steeds!). Albuquerque is such a "small world" town that I accidentally run into people who don't even live here.

But this post is really about Sandia Crest. We checked the weather before leaving and it told us that the Sandia Ski Area was currently in the midst of some toasty mid-80s temperatures. During out actual ascent up the winding road, we watched the temperature descend until it lodged somewhere in the mid-60s. And me in a tank top without another shirt. It was fantastic - a cool getaway from the summer heat in the city.

If you haven't been up to the crest in awhile (it had been at least a few years for me), summer is a good time to get reacquainted. Stop at Tinkertown, pause at the ski area, or just (slowly) high tail it to the very top for the spectacular views in all directions. Watch out for bicyclists, horseback riders, motorcycles and poky drivers like me on your way up and back.

10,678 feet of Sandias. You do feel it as your poor brain cells fight for a little more oxygen. Be careful with your sea level living out of town guests. Take it easy and stay hydrated. The wildflowers and freakishly large squirrels are more than worth the $3 parking fee (bring cash or a check).

Pack a picnic if you don't want to pay the somewhat inflated prices at the snack bar. Put up your chotchkies blinders if you step into the gift shop. I haven't seen such a broad array of tackiness since I stepped into that gas station in Kingman on my up to Las Vegas. Still, the star of the show is the view and the hiking trails. On a clear day you can't see forever, but it's awful close.