Hike #3: Tree Springs Trail

In the summer there aren't really any springs anywhere, just arroyos (dry creek beds), so the name of this hike was a little deceiving.  It turned out to be a really great hike anyways, and luckily we packed enough water to make it through the whole thing despite there being no natural water anywhere to be found!  The first part of the hike was through a mostly wooded area that got less rocky and more pine needle floored as we ascended.



We ended up meeting some UNM PA students along the way up!  We hiked with them for a little while but they branched left at one point to do a shorter hike (they had to go study, of course) and we went right to continue up the eastern side of the Sandias.  The middle part of the hike was a whole bunch of switchbacks through several of the ski slopes (meadows at this time of year), which seemed terrifyingly steep to me but apparently were only greens and blues!  Maybe they'll look less daunting come winter with snow on them!  Finally we reached the top, and had some amazing views of Albuquerque an the surrounding mountains as a reward.

     



     

I think the pictures speak for themselves.  There were also some pretty wildflowers along the trail going down.  The Indian Paintbrushes remind me of hiking in CO as a kid.



A summary of the hike from Josh's Map-My-Hike app... it doesn't mention the 2000 foot elevation change... definitely a challenge!