Sandia Crest and Ski Run Ride

Over the summer, Apache and I guided a ride up in the Sandia Mountains. It was Apache's first time riding in the Sandia Mountains since her eye was removed.

Getting Apache booted up for the rocky trails.



The blue diamonds attached to the trees designates this trail as a x-country ski trail during snowy winters.

Beautiful trails surrounded by trees.



Riding across one of the ski runs.



My riding companion stopping to ask me "which way?".



Beautiful green meadows to ride through.



As we travel across the ski runs, we ride through green meadows and then back into the forest over and over again.

Apache the One Eye Wonder Horse! Even with only one eye, she navigated the rugged, steep, and narrow trails without any problem.

Riding beneath one of the ski lifts.

The trail winds up the mountain.

Gorgeous scenery!

Looking up one of the ski runs.

Trail Selfie!

Looks like the light at the end of the forest tunnel ahead.

Expansive vistas towards the east and down the ski runs.

Getting close to the top of Sandia Peak. Up there is the Sandia Peak Tram.

Lots of construction up on Sandia Peak, so no horses allowed. They are building a new restaurant after they tore down the old High Finance Restaurant in 2016. Apache and I and a few of my riding companions have many fond memories from trail rides to High Finance.

After riding up the ski run trails, we rode up to the Kiwanis Cabin where we enjoyed our lunches.

Albuquerque down below!

I'm not afraid of heights. Sitting beside the edge of the cliff is exhilarating and wonderful!

After lunch, we mounted back up and Apache and I rode into Kiwanis Cabin!

It was her first time doing it since her eye was removed and she was very cautious, but she trusted me and rode up into the cabin and then back out to pose for a photo.

I was so extremely proud of my girl!!

Apache the One Eye Wonder Horse and me!

Apache is truly The Horse of the Year for overcoming all her physical challenges and continuing to trail ride and explore new places with me! Apache is the best horse in the whole wide world to me!!

Apache standing near the edge looking west and down into Albuquerque. On the horizon we can see Mt. Taylor, over 50 miles away!

After we had fun up on Sandia Crest, we rode back down the mountain.

This huge log has been here for many years. It is an old familiar friend for me.

The day it fell in the forest, it must have made a lot of noise!

Bringing up the rear.

The forest is so thick and green and mysterious.

Riding among the trees makes me so happy!

We also rode through many green meadows surrounded by aspens.

Looking north towards Santa Fe with the Sandia Scenic Byway road to the left.

Apache enjoys munching green grass along the way.

Another beautiful green meadow as we ride down the mountain. Now we are looking towards the east.

We've arrived back at the 10K parking area. Someone doesn't know how to park a horse trailer...lol! Nope, that's not my rig. Mine is way up front.

Back at the horse trailer, time to unsaddle. What a great ride in the Sandia Mountains!

Life is Good!

Last Hurrah Ride to High Finance Restaurant

A kind of last minute ride was planned by me and my friend, Dana on another beautiful Autumn day, so we could take just one last journey up to the soon-to-be-closing High Finance Restaurant. It would be closing in just 4 days, and we both wanted to share that amazing and unique experience of riding our horses to a very special and historic restaurant located above 10,500' elevation in the Sandia Mountains, so we could eat a delicious lunch together.

This would be my fourth lunch ride up to High Finance Restaurant and I consider myself very lucky and blessed to have had these opportunities to be a part of such a unique New Mexican Horseback riding experience.

My friend Dana met me at the 10K trailhead with her Arabian mare, Fancy, and after tacking up, we headed south on 10K trail.

Much of the 10K trail is also a x-country ski route as well, as shown by the blue diamonds placed on trees, along the trail.

We always pause as we ride across the ski runs because the views to the east are stunningly beautiful.

See what I mean?

I adore riding among the lovely aspens. Notice that the 10K trail does have quite a bit of rocks. My mare wears Cavallo hoof boots on rocky trails like these.

I chose a route up the mountain that took us off of the 10K trail.

As we zig-zagged and switch-backed up the mountain, we crossed the ski runs many times, riding beneath the ski lifts.

Looking out towards the east.

Dana riding across Sandia Ski Run. Fancy waiting for a treat from Dana.

This was a brand new trail for me and Dana. I had mapped it out and was excited to ride a different route up to Sandia Crest. The trail was beautiful and challenging, just what I love! 

I loved all the boulders and rock steps on this trail.

My Happy Place Trail Selfie!

Aspens ahead!!!

Even without their leaves, I find aspens incredibly beautiful!

One of the things I appreciate about riding with my friend Dana is that she trusts me enough to lead our rides, mapping out routes and exploring new trails. She's always game for an adventure, like me!

Dana and Fancy on the Cibola Ski Run.

Looking down and east on the ski run.

Looking up and west on the ski run.

After a couple hours of riding up the mountain, we reached Sandia Crest and the High Finance Restaurant. We tied up our horses outside and made our way into the restaurant.

There is (or should I say was, since the High Finance is no more) a door on the side of the dining area that made it very easy for us to take turns checking on our ponies while we sat inside and ate our lunch.

But every time we checked, they were just fine and being good ponies.

Before going inside to eat our lunch we took a few photos as mementos to remember our special times riding up for lunch.

Me, of course!

Me and my dear friend Dana. I'm so glad that we thought to take photos. These photos will always be very special to me.

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After we ate our lunch, I also took some final photos of the inside of the High Finance Restaurant.

Looking up towards the bar from the dining room.

The bar.

Looking down into the dining room and out towards the deck and, and just on the other side of the deck, the Sandia Peak Tram.

When we finished our delicious lunch, we headed back outside and found our ponies resting and waiting patiently for us to return. We truly have perfect ponies!

We decided to take a couple more photos as mementos of our time spent up at the High Finance Restaurant.

Apache and I with the back of the High Finance Restaurant behind us.

Apache and I with the the High Finance Restaurant behind us. And just to the right of that deck, on the far right of this photo, the mountain drops straight down over a thousand feet! But the views westward out over Albuquerque are just incredible!

After our special, and final lunch forever, at the High Finance Restaurant, we headed back down the mountain.

Riding through beautiful groves of aspens.

We rode for about 4 hours and enjoyed an hour long leisurely lunch that we will always hold dear to our hearts. We had the most amazing day.

Back at the trail head parking area. Apache enjoying a well deserved drink of water at my trailer.

Life is Good!!