10,678'

On Saturday we decided to escape the heat by going around to the east side of the Sandias and driving to the crest. Once through Tijeras canyon, the land changes to mountains and the road works its way north along the Turquoise Trail through small towns. We then turned west and followed the Sandia Crest Byway up to the top of the mountain. At the crest, several hiking trails converge at a Forest Service visitors center. We got out and did some hiking. Here we are at an overlook above the city:
And here's a view down the mountain looking southwest:
We then took off through the spruce-fir forest for a longer hike. It was amazing how the altitude changes everything. The ground was wet from recent rains and the air was cool. We were among the clouds and the air was thin. In fact, Summer mentioned that she had never hiked at such heights, and I think the same may be true for me. We were at 10,678' at the crest, and I can't think of a time when I've hiked at that altitude.

Here the kids stop in the woods:
The trail branched off after a half-mile, with one route leading to the tram base atop the mountain and another leading to the Kiwanis cabin. We chose the latter, passing by this alpine meadow:
We didn't go all the way to the cabin, as the thin air wore us out quickly. On the way base to the crest we took a spur route along the edge of the mountain. Here is Isaac at the bottom of a set of stairs that led to the cliff edge:
After catching our breath we drove downhill to a picnic area for a late lunch. We came home amazed that it took us six years to make it to the top of the Sandias and convinced that we need to go back often, especially in the heat of the summer. I also have a renewed determination to hike throughout the mountains to our east. My goal--hike the ~20 mile crest trail from end to end. I think in a few years the two older kids can make the hike with me, and maybe we try to get Nathan to come before he leaves on his mission.