Sandia Arch [OFF-TRAIL/INTERMEDIATE]

Come find an arch in the Sandias!

Mileage: roughly 6 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 1644 ft

We will start on the North Crest Trail, but a good chunk of the hike is off-trail. You must be comfortable moving off-trail over downed trees/branches and through brush. You will need to be able to climb up and over a large rock thing. Although if you can't make it over, it's not the end of the world, since it's right before the arch, so the rest of us will just go see the arch and you can wait for us at the rock.

I've done this hike as an out and back in the past, but I saw someone posted their track on AllTrails as a lollypop loop with North Sandia Peak. Depending on the experience/comfort level of the group, we may attempt the lollypop, otherwise we'll just do the out and back route I've done before. If we do the out and back, we can hit North Sandia Peak on the way back for some nice views.

I have done this hike with a dog in the past. She had some trouble with the large rock right before the arch, but ultimately made it up. Capable dogs are welcome on this hike. I will be bringing my friendly dog.

Let's meet at the Walmart on Eubank to carpool. It takes roughly 45 mins to the crest from there, so we will hopefully be hiking by 8am.