Skip to content | Skip to navigation
|
|
The Sandia Foothills Open Space contains approximately 2,650 acres of steep sloped hills intersected by gravelly drainages at the base of the Sandia Mountains. Elevation ranges from 5,720 to 6,800 feet above sea level.
Plant species include a variety
of grasses and wildflowers, cane cholla and prickly pear cactus.
Single-seed juniper and piƱon trees dot the landscape.
The numerous drainages support a wider variety of shrubs including chamisa, apache plume, three-leaf sumac and oak species. Wildlife in the Foothills includes mule deer, coyote, black bear, cougar, rabbit, rock squirrel, lizard, and rattlesnake - plus a wide variety of birds.
Trailheads provide access to the Foothills trails as well as the Sandia Mountain Wilderness Area, managed by the US Forest Service. Recreational opportunities include hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. A map of the Foothills trail system is available. Picnic shelters are located at the Elena Gallegos Picnic Area, Menaul, and Embudo Canyon. See the Open Space Facility Chart and Open Space Facility Map for more detail.
The Sandia Foothills Open Space contains the following areas:
April - October: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
November - March: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
To access the Foothills Open Space parking areas from I-40, exit on to Tramway north.
Copper: East of Tramway on
Copper Ave.
Embudo Canyon: East of Tramway on Indian School
Road
Menaul: East of Tramway on Menaul Blvd.
Piedra Lisa Canyon: East of Tramway on Candelaria
Road and south on Camino de la Sierra.
Embudito Canyon: East of Tramway on Montgomery
Blvd, north on Glenwood Hills Rd. and east on Trailhead St.
Manzano/Four Hills: End of Stagecoach Rd. in the Four Hills Village neighborhood.