Golden Open Space – Mesa Loop Trail Hike
In Golden Region

Map File Source: NG Topo

Hike Key: H10450
Last Updated: 12/15/2020 12:00am
Last Updated By: Marilyn Warrant
Hike Class: A (Easy)
Hike Distance: 3.1 mi
Minimum Elevation: 6249 ft
Elevation Change: 144 ft
Total Uphill: 165 ft
Total Downhill: 165 ft
Avg. Grade: 3 %
Route Type: CCW Loop
On Trail: No
Paved or Gravel Roads: No
GPS Advised: No
Drive Distance Round Trip: 70 mi
Drive Time One-Way: 1:15
Hiking Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
New Mexico Game Unit: 8
Hike Status: Published
Access Description: Golden Open Space Access

Highlights

Views from mesa to the east of the Sandias and down into the arroyos below.

Cautions

None.

Trailhead Directions

From Albuquerque, take I-40 to North 14. In Cedar Crest just after the school on the left, turn left onto LA MADERA Road (the road to East Mountain High School). Stay on the windy but paved road until it turns to dirt at a cattleguard in less than 8 miles. It is about a mile from this point to [PARK] (0.0 mi). Even though the road has curves, most of it is paved.

If there are any concerns about the last part of the access road, park at ALT-PARK and walk about 0.7 mi to PARK (or go under the fence).

Actual Hike

Hike south then southwest on the bike trail to the HIGH (0.6 mi) point of this hike. The bike trail then goes east following the cliff. LEAVE (1.4 mi) the trail as it goes north so you can continue along the cliffs for more views. REJOIN (2.5 mi) the bike trail and continue back to parking.

Comments

The hike is off-trail for about one mile. Like Las Huertas in Placitas, this hike is on part of the City of Albuquerque’s Open Space Program, the Golden Open Space. This is a good hike to do in hot weather when the forests are closed.

This hike used to be called Golden Open Space Bike Trail.

Waypoints

LA MADERA: N35 10.421, W106 20.225

ALT-PARK: N35 15.870, W106 20.137

PARK: N35 16.289, W106 19.698
HIGH: N35 15.907, W106 19.841
LEAVE: N35 15.980, W106 19.341
REJOIN: N35 16.077, W106 19.319

Map Filename: GoldenOpenSpaceBikeTrailImage_MW.jpg
Hike GPS File Name: GoldenOpenSpaceBikeTrailWayTrack_MW.gpx
Hike GPS File: Click link to download hike waytrack file

Text Author: Marilyn Warrant
Map Author: Marilyn Warrant
Waypoints Author: Marilyn Warrant
Track Author: Marilyn Warrant
Maintainer: Marilyn Warrant
Editor: Howard Carr