Sandia Mountain Wilderness facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sandia Mountain Wilderness |
|
|---|---|
|
IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
|
|
 Sandia Mountain Wilderness
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Bernalillo – Sandoval counties, New Mexico, USA |
| Nearest city | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Area | 37,877 acres (15,328 ha) |
| Established | 1978 |
| Visitors | 2 million (in 2000?) |
| Governing body | United States Forest Service |
The Sandia Mountain Wilderness is a special natural area in New Mexico, USA. It is located just east of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and covers a large part of the Sandia Mountains. This wilderness is part of the larger Cibola National Forest.
It became a protected area in 1978, joining the National Wilderness Preservation System. This system was created by the United States Congress to protect wild places. The Sandia Mountain Wilderness covers about 37,877 acres (15,328 ha) (about 153 square kilometers) of land. The United States Forest Service manages and protects this beautiful area. Because it is so close to Albuquerque, many people visit it. It has one of the most popular trail systems in New Mexico. Most visitors get there by riding the Sandia Aerial Tramway or by driving along the Sandia Crest National Scenic Byway.
Contents
Exploring Sandia Mountain Wilderness
The Sandia Mountain Wilderness is found within the Sandia Mountain Range. This mountain range stretches north of Albuquerque, running along the city's eastern side in central New Mexico. The range is not huge, only about 18 miles (29 km) long from north to south. It is about 8 miles (13 km) wide from east to west.
Almost the entire mountain range is part of the Cibola National Forest. The Wilderness area itself is mostly on the western side of the mountains. However, some trails and areas cross over to the eastern side. To the south, the Manzanita Mountains form a small ridge. This ridge separates the Sandia Mountains from the Manzano Mountain range to the south.
What are the Mountains Made Of?
The main type of rock you will find in the Sandia Mountains is granite. Granite is a very hard, strong rock. There is also a strip of limestone rock running along the very top of the mountain crest.
History of the Wilderness Area
The Sandia Mountain Wilderness is part of a huge system of protected lands. This system, called the National Wilderness Preservation System, covers over 109-million-acre (440,000 km2) across the United States. It was created by the US Congress with the Wilderness Act of 1964. The Sandia Mountain Wilderness officially joined this system in 1978.
After 1978, the boundaries of the Sandia Mountain Wilderness changed a few times. In the 1980s, more land was added to make it the size it is today. For example, in 1980, parts of the Cibola National Forest were added. In 1984, the San Juan Basin in northwest New Mexico also became part of the protected area. Since then, the boundaries have stayed the same.
Wildlife and Plants
The Sandia Mountain Wilderness is home to many different animals. Some of the most common animals you might see are mule deer, black bears, and raccoons. You might also spot bobcats and various types of squirrels.
Many birds of prey live here or pass through during migration. These include large golden eagles and different kinds of hawks. Other birds like roadrunners, Steller's Jays, ravens, and canyon wrens also live in these mountains.
The higher parts of the Sandia Mountains have a lot of trees. These are mostly firs and spruce trees. At middle elevations, you will find ponderosa pines and other conifer trees.
Amazing Paths and Trails
The Sandia Mountain Wilderness has one of the longest tramways in the world. A tramway is like a cable car system. This tram travels about 2.7 miles (4.3 km) up the mountain. It climbs nearly 4,000 feet (1,200 m) to reach the very top of the Sandias.
The Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway was designed by Swiss engineers. They had designed similar systems in the Alps mountains. This tram has been very safe and has never had an accident since it opened in 1966. The tram passes two tall towers on its journey. One tower is at 7,010 feet (2,140 m) high, and the other is at 8,750 feet (2,670 m). The top station where you get off is at an elevation of 10,300 feet (3,100 m).
Once you reach the top of the Sandia Mountains, there are many trails to explore. About 26.5 miles (42.6 km) of trail runs along the ridge. This is known as the Crest Trail. It stays at an average height of 10,000 feet (3,000 m). In total, the Sandia Mountain Wilderness has around 117 miles (188 km) of trails. These trails are carefully kept up by the Forest Service for everyone to enjoy.
