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Sandia North Crest Snow Conditions

Original Post
Andrew C · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2019 · Points: 57

Hoping to climb the knife edge this weekend but worried about the hike from the north crest back over to the tram. How is the snow depth / condition? I’m assuming the knife edge itself should be dry enough by now that it won’t be slick / wet at elevations, is that safe?

Anna Brown · · New Mexico · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 5,275

Hi Andrew,
I don’t have first hand knowledge of the current condition… but generally by April the Knife Edge is clear of snow but there is lots of snow/ice in the trees above the ridge as you hike up to the Crest Trail. This will be the worst part and it’ll most likely be knee deep post-holing. It’s roughly 1 mile and 1000 feet of elevation gain to the Crest Trail from where the scrambling ends.

slo ta · · ABQ · Joined Jan 2019 · Points: 154

You might need to watch for late season ice on the north side of the ridge. Don't it'll be there this late, but it can be pretty dangerous in some spots if it is there. That is, assuming you aren't going to be roped up.

Ryan Price · · Albuquerque, NM · Joined May 2012 · Points: 1,362

Rollie and I did some digging and shoveling through the snow yesterday (April 21st) mainly working though those upper switchbacks on the Chimney Canyon trail just below the towers. We only made it down to the broad overlook on the ridge separating Chimney & Mummy Canyons (just downhill a ways below the final switchback on trail), though the trail appeared to start opening up more with some sections completely melted out as it continues south towards Clandestine and other hotspots in Chimney Canyon. I’d still be prepared to fight through deep sections of snow further than we made it, but just wanted to pass along the info for others interested in accessing this area now.

Anna Brown · · New Mexico · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 5,275

Great photos Ryan & Rollie. I really appreciate your reconnaissance, mission! It looks like you just opened the Chimney Canyon approach :)

I was looking up from Lower La Cueva yesterday questioning everything I know to be true because I couldn’t see any signs of snow higher up. I knew it was there hiding in the trees but it’s completely invisible from down low.

For the record, I climbed Revenge of the Elderly yesterday as a party of 3 and we were chilly the whole day. We hiked in at about 8:30am and started climbing at 10:15am. The sun was just touching the rock up there when we started off the ground but a breeze blew the whole time and we had to wear all our layers.

Anna Brown · · New Mexico · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 5,275

The Sandias had fresh snow this morning… all the top trees were white which you can see in my photo below. I’d guess it snowed several more inches today with the storm. 


Connor White · · Albuquerque, NM · Joined Apr 2022 · Points: 235

I was in the upper sandias today near echo canyon and upper la cueva (la luz)! Most all the snow has melted exept some streaks on the northern facing gully’s and the occasional blob on the trail! I haven’t checked out pinnacle or chimney canyon yet but they tend to hold a bit more!

Dylan Thomas TX · · Los Cerrillos NM · Joined Nov 2014 · Points: 0

Anyone had eyes on the North Crest trail going from the top crest parking in the last few days?

Anna Brown · · New Mexico · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 5,275

Hi Dylan,
My friends hiked to the Shield on Sunday from the top and said the Crest Trail was mostly covered in snow to North Peak where they turned off. They probably had wet shoes but were able to get to the Shield’s rap line. You might appreciate gators to cover your shoes in the afternoon when the snow is softer.

I hiked the Crest Trail from the dirt parking lot at the hairpin turn to the top of the Tombstone descent on Sunday and we postholed a few times but the snow was hard after the cold temps the night before. We did bail on hiking down to the Tombstone because there was snow/hail on the steep descent and it was too slippery. There's definitely more snow in the trees north of the antennas than there is south of them, but the Crest Trail is hikeable with the snow.

This is a video I took on Sunday morning and I'm including a screenshot of the video below:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C65IOvru1NO/

I see you're in Cerrillos. My parents are Todd & Patricia Brown at the Mining Museum. Have we met before?

Connor White · · Albuquerque, NM · Joined Apr 2022 · Points: 235

I climbed at the muralla grande today in chimney canyon and found snow to be no problem! It is only a bit heavy in certain spots coming of the crest trail but none in the actual canyon!! It is easily avoidable with some creativity! Quick drying or extra pair of socks isn’t a terrible idea! Took about 30 mins to the base of excitable boys! Get after it!

Dylan Thomas TX · · Los Cerrillos NM · Joined Nov 2014 · Points: 0

Looking for another update on the Northern Crest Trail up on top of the crest. 

Anyone been out there last weekend or this week? Its been a lot hotter so guessing the remaining snow is going fast.

I'm trying to hike out past North Sandia Peak, just don't want to post hole or be a complete mudfest.

Also, Anna we were not in Cerrillos proper but up in the Ortiz when we lived down there. 

Thanks for any update.

Anna Brown · · New Mexico · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 5,275

Dylan,
You shouldn't have any issues with snow in the Sandias now. Pretty much all the snow in the trees north of the antennas was melted by the next Sunday.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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