Dead and dying trees across Sandia Crest are raising serious wildfire concerns, leading to significant changes on the mountain, including a partial closure of some of the crest’s most popular recreation areas for up to two years. The risk is especially concerning because of the Sandia Crest communication site on top, which supports cellphone coverage for the greater metro area and vital emergency response systems.Crews will treat 140 acres of national forest land around the crest to remove dead and overcrowded trees, as well as other vegetation that could intensify a wildfire. “This consolidates fuels in a controlled way rather than leaving them scattered across the landscape,” said district ranger on the Sandia Ranger District, Ken Born.The first phase of the project, funded by the U.S. Forest Service at a cost of $1.2 million, is expected to run from spring through fall of 2026. “It’s simply not safe to have hikers, bikers, or recreational traffic in areas where this is happening,” Born said. As part of the project, the Kiwanis Cabin will be demolished.Phase two is planned for spring through fall of 2027 and will focus on full reconstruction of the area. “We’ll be repaving and redesigning the entire parking area, reconstructing every walkway, ramp, and stairway,” Born said. This phase will also include rebuilding observation decks and railings, adding new toilets, and creating more viewing points.”After decades of extreme weather at over 10,000 feet of elevation and serving millions of visitors, the facilities have reached the end of their useful life,” Heidi McRoberts, forest supervisor for the Cibola National Forest and National Grassland, said. Here is a full list of impacted closures: Recreation areas:Sandia Crest Recreation AreaParking lots:Ellis trailhead parking lotSouth 10k trailhead parking lotTrails:Challenge trailParts of the Crest trailCrest Spur trailEllis trailForest seasons trailGravel pit trailKiwanis cabin trailNorth Crest TrailRocky Point TrailSandia Nordic and Country Ski TrailsSurvey TrailSwitchback TrailRoads:Forest Service Road 488 The La Luz Trail will stay open to the Sandia Peak Tramway, and tram operations will continue as normal.”You can hike La Luz to the tramway, but you can’t continue to the Crest,” Born said. The 10-3 Restaurant and tram facilities will not be affected, and the North 10-K Trailhead parking lot will remain open.The first phase and shutdown will begin in April. The Forest Service did not provide KOAT with an exact date. Timelines could shift depending on weather, contractor considerations, and fire restrictions. Sandia Peak Ski Area will not be impacted next winter.
Dead and dying trees across Sandia Crest are raising serious wildfire concerns, leading to significant changes on the mountain, including a partial closure of some of the crest’s most popular recreation areas for up to two years.
The risk is especially concerning because of the Sandia Crest communication site on top, which supports cellphone coverage for the greater metro area and vital emergency response systems.
Crews will treat 140 acres of national forest land around the crest to remove dead and overcrowded trees, as well as other vegetation that could intensify a wildfire.
“This consolidates fuels in a controlled way rather than leaving them scattered across the landscape,” said district ranger on the Sandia Ranger District, Ken Born.
The first phase of the project, funded by the U.S. Forest Service at a cost of $1.2 million, is expected to run from spring through fall of 2026.
“It’s simply not safe to have hikers, bikers, or recreational traffic in areas where this is happening,” Born said.
As part of the project, the Kiwanis Cabin will be demolished.
Phase two is planned for spring through fall of 2027 and will focus on full reconstruction of the area.
“We’ll be repaving and redesigning the entire parking area, reconstructing every walkway, ramp, and stairway,” Born said.
This phase will also include rebuilding observation decks and railings, adding new toilets, and creating more viewing points.
“After decades of extreme weather at over 10,000 feet of elevation and serving millions of visitors, the facilities have reached the end of their useful life,” Heidi McRoberts, forest supervisor for the Cibola National Forest and National Grassland, said.
Here is a full list of impacted closures:
- Recreation areas:
- Sandia Crest Recreation Area
- Parking lots:
- Ellis trailhead parking lot
- South 10k trailhead parking lot
- Trails:
- Challenge trail
- Parts of the Crest trail
- Crest Spur trail
- Ellis trail
- Forest seasons trail
- Gravel pit trail
- Kiwanis cabin trail
- North Crest Trail
- Rocky Point Trail
- Sandia Nordic and Country Ski Trails
- Survey Trail
- Switchback Trail
- Roads:
The La Luz Trail will stay open to the Sandia Peak Tramway, and tram operations will continue as normal.
“You can hike La Luz to the tramway, but you can’t continue to the Crest,” Born said.
The 10-3 Restaurant and tram facilities will not be affected, and the North 10-K Trailhead parking lot will remain open.
The first phase and shutdown will begin in April. The Forest Service did not provide KOAT with an exact date.
Timelines could shift depending on weather, contractor considerations, and fire restrictions.
Sandia Peak Ski Area will not be impacted next winter.
