La Luz Trail

The trail allows hikers to view the flora and fauna of four climatic "life zones" and the granite cliffs and spires native to the west face of the Sandia Mountains.

The trail travels through a steep, rocky draw with the many quaking aspen and pines of the Canadian Zone.

Approximately 6.7 miles (10.8 km) from the trailhead in the Hudsonian Zone, the La Luz trail forks.

It is recommended that all hikers be in the appropriate physical condition for their desired trip length, and to take the necessary equipment including severe weather clothing.

In the winter months, the area above the 5-mile (8.0 km) sign is very snowy, and requires snowshoes and trekking poles for passage.

The trail is subject to closure due to extreme fire danger in the hot summer months.

The Sandia Ranger District provides a website[1] that has a page of current trail conditions such as ice and snow.

After the designation of the Sandia Mountain Wilderness area in the 1970s, the race was limited to 400 participants by the Forest Service.