Once I officially decided that I would join Melissa for her quick-trip to Albuquerque for a mah teaching conference, one of the first things I did was check out some good running in the area. I was going to take at least one of the two days during which she was going to be soaking up some knowledge and soaking up some sun, and some joy, on the trails.

Well today was that day, and to quote the Bible, “it was good.” (You know, somewhere early on in Genesis).

Just a little perusing of the web had me set on making sure I travelled up the La Luz Trail to the top of Sandia Peak. Though the numbers associated with the route varied a bit, from trailhead to Tram was advertised as being about 9 miles with 3,678 feet of gain (starting at 7,000 ft. and climbing to 10,678). Sounded like a definite winner to me.

As a bonus, finding the trailhead seemed like it would be failry simple, meaning that I hopefully wouldn’t spend 15-20 minutes driving back and forth looking for a trailhead and getting frustrated like I have a habit of doing when heading into the mountains to run.

But, alas, there was a minor bit of not knowing where exactly I was and findng that Forest Service road mileage estimates to certain destinations aren’t exaclty accurate. No biggie, though, I ended up parking at a camping site about 1/2 mile from the trailhead and really didn’t have much trouble finding the actual trailhead via my feet. More miles, more fun, right?!

Trail along the lower sections of La Luz… a fair pitch, but simple footing and some rolling along so as to really open up the legs on some gentle downhill occasionally.

Upon coming to the actual trailhead I was informed via wooden sign that there’s a La Luz Trail Race every year, so I knew that the trail would be pretty easy to follow and, at least for the most part, runnable. The nice part about having had 1/2 mile of pavement to climb before the trailhead is that I was able to hit the trail with my legs sufficiently warmed to the idea of climbing.

Though a fairly heaviley trafficked area with roads aplently, it didn’t toake long for me to ditch the sounds and sight of cars, with the dirt below my feet, the rocks and roots at my sides and the sounds of my breathing as the primary companions. There were a few hikers along the way, but only about four or five as I was going up and the same number (but different individuals on my way down).

I was pleased to come across some rockier terrain as I got nearer the Tramway Station at the top, and was forced to dance across some looser, rockier, and steeper ground.

Some of the smoother trail nearer the top.

After finishing the major part of the La Luz Trail climb, there was still a 1.5 mile section of cliffside stingle-track to navigate before arriving at the Tramway Station. Fun, I think, would be the perfect word for it. I was really able to turn things loose and cruised up-and-down rolling singletrack. I forgot how good my legs could feel after beating them up with a climb of that magnitude, and how a perfect section of singletrack could make one want to bust out of cruise control and just floor it…my apologies, however, to the hikers I frightened as I flew around a corner.

 
The top of Sandia.

Expecting to find a small shack at the top of the tram that served Frito pies and hot dogs, I was surprised to find the pretty classy looking High Finance Restaurant. I suddenly felt less optimistic about being able to fill up my water bottles, but they were happy to help me rehydrate, fortunately, and I began to hoof it back to the La Luz Trail to descend - but then something caught my eye: a trail marker informing me that with it was only 1.75 miles further up to the very tippy top via the Crest Trail…Challenge accepted.

It wasn’t steep, but certainly the only area of trail I covered all day on which snow played a factor. Actually, not snow so much as ice, and I took my only spill of the day up on that area…and I had been doing so well on my feet right up until then for 2+ hours. But the view, totally worth it. Being such a clear day, I could see everything there was to see, including the Taos Ski Area. That’s over 100 miles!

After a little gazing, I turned back around and embarked on the descent. About 90% of the trail was decently groomed bewteen the Tramway and trailhead, which made for an absolute blast of  run down. The amount of fun I had grinding up, up and away was equaled and then some as I tip-toed down the rockier sections and free-falled the more gradual and smooth patches. It’s descents like this that make me want to, and sometimes actually do make me, put my hands in the air and scream “Whheeeeeee!” as if on a rollercoaster.

Yes, the route I chose today was an out-and-back, but the up and the down on a route that involves any sort of real climb and time make the trail seem like two completely different trails. The trail is experienced in such a different capacity. Going up involves workman-like effort, nose the grindstone type determination. But the trip back down brings you back to being a kid again…the simple of joy of movement and the total non-chalantness to the possibility of falling and scraping your knees. I know that in reading bout the route, a lot of recommendations for running the La Luz Trail suggested taking the tram one way and running the other, but who would want to miss out on half of what it has to offer?