East Mountain
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Management plans for the East Mountain Open Space Areas including Juan Tomas, Tres Pistolas, Gutierrez Canyon and San Antonito were developed through a cooperative planning process between the City of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County and the United States Forest Service under the guidance of the National Park Service, Rivers and Trails Program. This is a public participatory process that includes East Mountain residents and Open Space users.
Carolino Canyon
This 40-acre facility is located 9 miles south of
I-40 on NM Highway 337. Nestled in an area populated by ponderosa, piñón, juniper, scrub oak and yucca, Carolino Canyon proves to be an ideal location for gatherings of all kinds. The facility can accommodate up to 250 people and consists of two large picnic shelters with electrical outlets. There are numerous small picnic areas, tetherball units, horseshoe pits, volleyball facilities, charcoal grills and a fire pit. The facility also has a paved hiking trail that is wheelchair accessible. In addition to daytime rental, Carolino Canyon is available for overnight usage with a special permit.
Group reservations are required.
Juan Tomas Open Space
The Juan Tomas Open Space is named for the nearby village of Juan Tomas that was settled around 1860. This land became part of the Open Space system in 1983 and was part of the Elena Gallegos exchange lands from the USFS.
At elevations ranging from 7,300' to 7,760', this 1,290 acre area is characterized by gently rolling pinon-juniper forests, with scattered stands of ponderosa pine trees, scrub oak thickets and several open meadows. Mule deer and wild turkeys frequent this site and an occasional elk has been reported.
Recreation
There are no developed facilities at the Juan Tomas Open Space,
although there is an extensive network of informal trails, many
of which provide access to the adjacent USFS Oak Flat Picnic Area
and beyond. The Ponderosa Trail is the main trail running diagonally
across this property and is popular with horseback riders.
Access
From I-40 get off at the Tijeras exit on to Highway 337 (old south
14), go south approximately 10 miles, make a left on to Oak Flat
Road, go east for about 1.20 miles, there will be an Open Space
gate with regulation sign on the north side of the road. Parking
is alongside Oak Flat Road.
Tres Pistolas (Three Gun Springs)
The 105-acre property is under joint management between the City
of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. Named for a spring located
within the Sandia Mountain Wilderness Area. Elevations range from
6,140' to 6,400' of pinon-juniper grasslands with several steep-sided
arroyos used by a variety of wildlife including deer, coyotes, bears
and mountain lions.
Recreation
This site offers access to the Sandia Mountain Wilderness Area via
the Three Gun Spring Trail and the Hawk Watch Trail. The Gun Spring
Trail connects with the Embudo Trail and the Sandia Foothills Open
Space. There are no additional facilities at the site.
Access
Access to this property is through a residential neighborhood. Please
respect out neighbors. Take I-40 to the Carnuel exit, get on the
frontage road (Old Route 66), head east to the Monticello Subdivision,
there will be a small brown and white Forest Service sign for Three
Gun Spring, make a right, go about 2 miles, make a left, take the
second right and this will end at the trailhead. The trailhead is
actually on Forest Service land.
John A. Milne/Gutierrez Canyon Open Space
The 300-acre Gutierrez Canyon property was purchased by the City of Albuquerque in 1963, making it one of the first pieces of land the City set aside for the preservation of nature. In 2008, the City purchased a 420-acre property contiguous to Gutierrez Canyon now know as the "John A. Milne Open Space.” This addition creates a total of 720 acres of protected Major Public Open Space stretching from Highway 14, east to Gutierrez Canyon Road.
Elevations here range from 6,100' to 7,600'. Steep-sided, rocky canyons containing usually dry stream beds characterize this property. Pinon-juniper forests dominate this site, but there are also scenic stands of ponderosa pine. Deer, bears and mountain lions are frequent visitors to this area. Visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the East Mountains from various vantage points in the John A. Milne Open Space.
Recreation
There are currently no developed facilities at this site. Future plans include a parking area off of N.M. Highway 14 and a series of sustainable trails available for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Many of the existing informal trails lead to private property. Please respect all private property.
Access
Access to the John A. Milne Open Space is off of N.M. 14, south of the Cedar Crest post office. Access and parking to Gutierrez Canyon are through a residential neighborhood. Please respect our neighbors. Call the Open Space Division for directions.
San Antonito Open Space
The 168-acre property was purchased by the City of Albuquerque
in 1968 and is one of the earliest pieces of property to be set
aside by the City for the enjoyment of the nature.
Elevations at this property range from 6,760' to 7,200'. Pinon-juniper forests dominate this gently rolling site. Deer, coyote, fox and a variety of bird species, including bald eagles, have been seen on this property
Recreation
There are no facilities located at this property. There is a network
of unofficial trails, some of which lead onto private property.
There is also a private in-holding surrounded by the Open Space.
Please respect private property.
Access
Access and parking are through a residential neighborhood. Please
respect our neighbors. Call the Open Space Division for directions.