Sandia Mountains

Not too far from the pleasant buzz of Albuquerque, the wan-colored frame of the majestic Sandia Mountains unfolds across the New Mexican landscape. Protectively corralled by the Cibola National Forest and arising from the Rio Grande basin, these mountains promise an exciting visual interplay from dawn to dusk. Translating into 'watermelon', these mountains shine with a soft rosy glow as the sun dips into the horizon, rewarding hikers with phenomenal views throughout the mesmerizing wilderness. The Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway also offers panoramic vistas from the mountain crest. Besides its saw-toothed terrain and riveting harmony with nature's elements, the Sandia Mountains are also known to hold treasured relics of a prehistoric Indian group, and sacred secrets that lie deeply entrenched in Pueblo mythology.