Sandia Crest

Sandia Crest is a mountain ridge at 3229 meters in Bernalillo County. The western slope drops steeply, descending over 1000 meters to the Rio Grande Valley and Albuquerque below.

The Civilian Conservation Corps built the Kiwanis Cabin on the ridge in 1930 as a monument to their public works efforts. This structure stands today as a testament to the construction projects of that era.

The name Sandia comes from the Spanish word for watermelon, referring to the reddish tones that appear on the mountainside at sunset. Visitors notice this coloring especially during late afternoon hours.

You can reach the summit using the Sandia Peak Tramway or by driving directly up the paved New Mexico Highway 536. Keep in mind that conditions at the top are harsher than in the valley below.

The ridge hosts multiple communication towers that share space with a range of wildlife including elk, mule deer, and various bird species. This surprising mix of infrastructure and wild animals shows how human and natural elements coexist here.