Bobcatting Sandia Crest / La Luz Spur Loop

Description: Bobcatting Sandia Crest / La Luz Spur Loop with add-on for 6' Crinoid fossil
Hiking Distance: 5 miles

Round Trip Hiking Time: 3 hours

Elevations: 10,700' to 10,300'

Rating: Moderate

Pace: Mellow Plus

Be considerate of others and do not RSVP for this hike if you cannot go up and down Atalaya in under 3 hours. This helps us to stay together as a group, enhancing the hiking experience for everyone. This is a group hike and participants are expected to stay with the group. It is not about competition, but cooperation. No firearms or commercial solicitations. COVID vaccination and compliance with CDC rules on quarantine and isolation are required (i.e., don't attend if you have Covid!)

Hike Description:
Rick will lead this hike. We will start at the Sandia Crest parking lot and hike along the South Crest trail to the Kiwanis stone cabin, then on to the Sandia Tram. We will hike below the Crest on the La Luz Spur trail back to the Crest parking lot. Next we will drive to the Ellis Trailhead parking lot and hike a quarter mile on the Challenge Trail to a 6' long Crinoid fossil. The main hike features excellent views of the Albuquerque area as well as the Jemez Mountains, Cabezon Peak and the Rio Grande Rift. There should also be plenty of wildflowers.

What to bring:
Sturdy hiking boots or shoes.
Layers, extra clothing, and water resistant outer wear.
Water for a 4 hour, potentially warm, hike. Be sure to bring plenty of water.
Snacks and lunch

Meeting Place:
We will meet in the parking lot of Albertsons at Zia-South St Francis. Enter from Zia, turn right immediately. We leave promptly at the meet time.

Dogs: No dogs on this hike.

Cancelling. Please be considerate to folks on the wait list and remove yourself from the 'go' list promptly once you know you won't attend.

Cost/Driving: Non-drivers are to contribute $10 for gas.

Waiver and Release. By attending, the Participant releases the Event Leaders from liability arising from the Event and assumes all risks of the Event, including (without limitation): 1) injuries from falls, living things, pre-existing health conditions, vehicles, and weather, and 2) injuries resulting from the Event Leaders not undertaking the least risky option available (e.g., hiking a steep slope instead of a gentle slope) or not treating an injury in the optimal way (e.g., due to insufficient training). The preceding sentence supplements any other exculpatory arrangement to which the Participant is subject.