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Hike South Sandia Peak via CCC and Crest Loop in Cibola National Forest, New Mexico - Stav is Lost

Hike South Sandia Peak via CCC and Crest Loop Cibola National Forest, NM

Class 1 11.2 miles 3400 gain 5-7 hrs Loop
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May 09, 2017 — South Sandia Peak can be reached from a few directions, including the Oso and Embudito Loop from the west. This hike instead comes from the east. I started along the wide South Crest Trail to Travertine Falls, which wasn't flowing at the time. It's a fairly popular hike to the falls, but the trail narrows as it ascends away from the Falls. The South Crest Trail continues west hits a junction with the steep and unmaintained CCC Trail. I'll be returning to this junction on my way back. I followed the CCC Trail more directly to the crest, where it joined with the Crest Trail and continued to the summit of South Sandia Peak. I then came back down the standard Sandia Crest Trail, then took the South Crest Trail to complete the loop.

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photo protector The trail starts out really wide, but mostly because of the short hike to Travertine Falls.
The trail starts out really wide, but mostly because of the short hike to Travertine Falls.
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photo protector Travertine Falls. Dry and graffiti everywhere, sadly.
Travertine Falls. Dry and graffiti everywhere, sadly.
photo protector Back on the Sandia Crest Trail.
Back on the Sandia Crest Trail.
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photo protector At this junction, the main trail takes a long route to the top (I came down that way). The unmarked and unmaintained CCC starts in a clearing to the right and heads steeply up the slope.
At this junction, the main trail takes a long route to the top (I came down that way). The unmarked and unmaintained CCC starts in a clearing to the right and heads steeply up the slope.
photo protector Along the CCC unmaintained trail.
Along the CCC unmaintained trail.
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photo protector The brush slowly disappears as you near the top.
The brush slowly disappears as you near the top.
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photo protector At the intersection with the Sandia Crest Trail, turn left and soon...
At the intersection with the Sandia Crest Trail, turn left and soon...
photo protector ...you'll see this intersection. To the left is the way I went down (along the Sandia Crest Trail). To the right goes to the summit.
...you'll see this intersection. To the left is the way I went down (along the Sandia Crest Trail). To the right goes to the summit.
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photo protector Views of Albuquerque.
Views of Albuquerque.
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photo protector South Sandia Peak in the distance.
South Sandia Peak in the distance.
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photo protector Super-mini scramble to the top.
Super-mini scramble to the top.
photo protector From the South Sandia summit looking to North Sandia Peak.
From the South Sandia summit looking to North Sandia Peak.
photo protector From the summit, looking toward Albuquerque.
From the summit, looking toward Albuquerque.
photo protector Close-up of North Sandia Peak.
Close-up of North Sandia Peak.
photo protector Back at the junction, headed down the Sandia Crest Trail.
Back at the junction, headed down the Sandia Crest Trail.
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photo protector The Sandia Crest Trail was more interesting and pretty than the CCC Trail approach I took.
The Sandia Crest Trail was more interesting and pretty than the CCC Trail approach I took.
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photo protector A viewpoint looking north toward the peaks.
A viewpoint looking north toward the peaks.
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photo protector The trail meets back to where it split for the CCC trial shortly after this hairpin turn - follow that back down to the trailhead.
The trail meets back to where it split for the CCC trial shortly after this hairpin turn - follow that back down to the trailhead.

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