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La Luz Trail - 3 members in 8 triplogs have rated this an average 4 ( 1 to 5 best )
8 triplogs
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Nov 13 2024
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 Guides 187
 Routes 991
 Photos 12,084
 Triplogs 866

72 male
 Joined Jun 27 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
La Luz Tramway Trails, NM 
La Luz Tramway Trails, NM
 
Hiking avatar Nov 13 2024
markthurman53 • Triplogs 866
Hiking7.40 Miles 1,850 AEG
Hiking7.40 Miles   5 Hrs   23 Mns   1.55 mph
1,850 ft AEG      37 Mns Break20 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
La Luz Trail
Tramway Trail #82
Partners partners
mamakatt22
The second day of hiking we opted to do the La Luz Trail that heads up to Sandia Peak. We knew we weren’t going to be able to reach the summit because it would be a 14 mile day and also that we would have to turn around where the trail became to icy to safely walk (we left our crampons in Tucson, who needs those in Lubbock). There are two options to hike up to Sandia Peak, the first starts at the La Luz Trailhead the other at the Tramway. The tramway start point adds about 2 miles to the summit also the trail isn’t as nice, lots of rock step ups which can be quite tiring. The La Luz Trail is easy smooth walking even though it is a continuous climb.

The La Luz Trail as I said is easy walking as it is a smooth steady uphill. We made it up 2.5 miles before having to turn around. There are great views to the west over Albuquerque and further west toward Taylor Mountain, 12600 feet. On the return trip we took a side trip along the Tramway Trail. This trail is a bit tiring because it is not as well maintained and has lots of step ups. While the views are good you are following alongside a bunch of houses. We hiked along this trail for a mile and opted to turn around. We will have to come back another time and hike the La Luz Trail but this time from the top
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Jun 24 2017
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 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
La Luz TrailNorth Central, NM
La Luz Trail
North Central, NM
Hiking avatar Jun 24 2017
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Hiking5.00 Miles 1,000 AEG
Hiking5.00 Miles   2 Hrs      2.50 mph
1,000 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Business in Albuquerque left me with a morning to kill, so I took the Sandia Peak Tram up to the top and meandered around up there. Hardly worth noting, except that it was my first hike in New Mexico and I'd totally recommend it.

The tram cabin was rather cramped and noisy, but the ride was quick and the views impressive. It was $2 to park and $25 for the tram (round trip).

There's a mess of well-worn trails up there, and I'm not entirely sure what I took. It was all very nice and foresty. Made my way to the top of the La Luz trail, and followed that down for about a half-mile, which was steep and fun.

I should add my drive from Tucson up to Albuquerque was great too. Rather than taking I-10 to I-25 like I've done in the past, I went north from Tucson, up through Globe, Pinetop-Lakeside, and the Malpais in New Mexico. It was a wonderful progression of landscapes, and the shortest 8-hour drive I've ever done.
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Jun 13 2014
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 Guides 1
 Routes 136
 Photos 1,367
 Triplogs 364

47 male
 Joined Jun 10 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
La Luz TrailNorth Central, NM
La Luz Trail
North Central, NM
Hiking avatar Jun 13 2014
The_Dude • Triplogs 364
Hiking13.89 Miles 4,220 AEG
Hiking13.89 Miles   5 Hrs   28 Mns   2.90 mph
4,220 ft AEG      41 Mns Break14 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Sandia Crest - GET #39
Partners none no partners
A work trip brought me to Albuquerque, so a little extra time for a hike was in order...I hiked the La Luz trail up to the Sandia Crest, and then back down. Switchback overload, I lost count quickly as the trail kept turning back on itself. This is a nice trail, the first four miles are a nice smooth dirt track, and then it gets rocky after that, but nothing too crazy. There are some stretches where you have to traverse boulder fields that reminded me quite a bit of the Bomber wreckage on Mt. Humphries. There is oddly enough a gift shop/ snack bar up at the Crest (you can drive up there too, but that is pretty weak sauce), I found a few lightweight souvenirs to bring home to my girls. The wonderful cloud cover I had for most of the way up turned into rain and some nasty winds up top, I had to get out my emergency poncho to keep from getting completely soaked. Fun hike, glad to get some dinner and beer at Luca Pizzeria after I finished up. 25 miles in 2 hikes over four days, that is better than I did all last month. Love it when I have some extra time for the wilderness...
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Aug 05 2013
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 Guides 73
 Routes 176
 Photos 10,174
 Triplogs 2,324

46 male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 
La Luz TrailNorth Central, NM
La Luz Trail
North Central, NM
Hiking avatar Aug 05 2013
Jim • Triplogs 2,324
Hiking5.40 Miles 1,250 AEG
Hiking5.40 Miles   2 Hrs      2.70 mph
1,250 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
After business, it was time for pleasure. I didn't have any preconceived notions for this trail. I just set out to explore a little and see how far I could go. Time and some (incorrect) trail mileage markers had me up at 3 miles. Looks like GPS says I was at 2.75 miles. I hiked to a small peak on a ridge, and then turned back. Very nice trail and area, possibly the highlight of Alubuquerque. It reminded me a lot of Elden, which is dacite, but looks like the granite here, and the vegetation is nearly identical.
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🍭
 
Jun 01 2013
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 Triplogs 348

32 male
 Joined Oct 13 2012
 Tucson, AZ
La Luz TrailNorth Central, NM
La Luz Trail
North Central, NM
Hiking avatar Jun 01 2013
iborrego • Triplogs 348
Hiking2.00 Miles 1,000 AEG
Hiking2.00 Miles
1,000 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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May 21 2011
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 Triplogs 348

32 male
 Joined Oct 13 2012
 Tucson, AZ
La Luz TrailNorth Central, NM
La Luz Trail
North Central, NM
Hiking avatar May 21 2011
iborrego • Triplogs 348
Hiking7.60 Miles 3,752 AEG
Hiking7.60 Miles   4 Hrs      1.90 mph
3,752 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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  1 archive
Oct 09 2008
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 Guides 6
 Routes 40
 Photos 887
 Triplogs 214

44 male
 Joined Dec 06 2003
 Bordeaux, France
La Luz TrailNorth Central, NM
La Luz Trail
North Central, NM
Hiking avatar Oct 09 2008
Davis2001r6 • Triplogs 214
Hiking10.20 Miles 4,268 AEG
Hiking10.20 Miles   4 Hrs   30 Mns   2.27 mph
4,268 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Hiked up the La Luz Trail and my wife to the tram up to meet me. There was a big line for the tram so I hiked over to Kiwanis Cabin, almost the highpoint, but away from the cars/people. Had lunch at the tram restaurant before heading back down. Please excuse the low quality of the pics, it was actually the camera on my phone, left the camera sitting on the charger.

-TIM-
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  1 archive
Apr 19 2008
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 Triplogs 16

47 female
 Joined Apr 24 2007
 Scottsdale, AZ
La Luz TrailNorth Central, AZ
La Luz Trail
North Central, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 19 2008
Ginaunlv • Triplogs 16
Hiking9.00 Miles
Hiking9.00 Miles   4 Hrs      2.25 mph
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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average hiking speed 2.3 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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