South Sandia Crest Loop Ride

Earlier this summer I decided I wanted to haul my horse up into the Sandia Mountains and ride several of my favorite trails across the ski slopes out from the 10K South Trailhead.

I invited a riding companion to join me since she had never ridden those trails before.

Apache waiting patiently beside my trailer to head out on the trails.

Apache and I ready to go!

Apache and I led the way through the forest.

I love riding in the mountains, surrounded by tall trees!

Apache and I taking a little rest beside the trail.

Riding across one of the ski runs. Everything is so green!

Just enjoying the gorgeous vistas down the mountain and across the eastern plains.

My riding companion and her spotted pony enjoying a quiet moment on one of the ski runs.

The trail zigzags and switchbacks up the mountain towards the crest.

The trail takes you alternately through forests and across the green ski slopes.

Trail Selfie!

This section of trail through the forest looks like we were riding towards a hole that opens onto another ski run.

A Trail Selfie showing the mysterious forest hole.

Apache and I leading the way. There are many technical sections with some boulder hopping or steep downhills. Apache handles them all like the pro that she is. Professional Trail Horse that is!  

Apache and I on another ski run, this one with a ski lift.

My riding companion and her horse posing on a ski run.

The ski runs are very steep, but the trails travel across them, so the elevation is never very steep for your horse.

Here my riding companion and her horse show just how steep the ski runs really are.....Man from Snowy River steep!

Apache and I checking out the views down the mountain. If you look closely, you can see where the trail switchbacks or zigzags back and forth up the ski run.

Apache and I enjoying a quiet moment on one of the ski runs.

Apache and I beneath the ski lift.

Looking up towards Sandia Peak. We're almost there.

After riding up to Sandia Peak, I decided to  show my riding companion the Kiwanis Cabin up on Sandia Crest, above 10,600' elevation.

Apache on Sandia Crest looking west, down over the city of Albuquerque.

Apache and I on Sandia Crest, on the north side of Kiwanis Cabin, with the Manzano Mountains behind us.

My riding companion and her pony posing in front of Kiwanis Cabin.

Looking north towards the Crest House and the Crest Towers.

Apache and I just chillin' on Sandia Crest. She's been up here countless times with me. It's just one of the incredible places we have visited often and never tire of.

Between the ears looking out over the edge!

Then, because this is always something I do with my mare, we rode up inside of Kiwanis Cabin! I didn't have anyone to take our photo, so I took a between the ears photo from inside the cabin instead.

My riding companion and her horse followed Apache and I into Kiwanis Cabin and after Apache and I rode down the stairs, I told my riding companion to stay at the entrance so I could take a special photo.

And then we made our way back down the mountain.

Almost back at the trailhead and a herd of deer leapt across the trail and startled my riding companion's horse. Thankfully, she didn't fall of, and we were able to watch the deer from the trail below.

Do you see the deer in the trees, just above her horse's ears?

Almost back to the trailhead....

10K North parking lot is where the restroom is and where cars are welcome to park.

Trailers will have difficulty trying to turn around as there is only one entrance/exit.

While 10K South parking lot is a loop, so trailers can drive right through.

Apache's thinking, "We're back!! What a ride!"

What a ride indeed!

This photo epitomizes the feeling I get when riding someplace that I love. I am always filled with such a sense of joy and freedom and happiness! And I know Apache feels it, too. 

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!!