Climb to the Top

As much as I hike in the Sandias, it is rare that I take the signature trail, the La Luz trail, one of only a few that allow you to climb directly to the summit. And most of the times I've done it, I cut short just before the summit and go to the Tram that takes you down.

On Saturday, I and Gaius Derf decided this would be our hike. The first part of the hike is deceptive because it has a gentle slope and accounts for the first 2/3rds of the 7.5 mile hike. (climb of 4,000 feet. This is made up for in the last 3rd where it is very steep with a long section crossing over 15 switchbacks of a huge rock slide. Derf wasn't feeling well so he turned back just before the rock slide. But I was filled with the lust of accomplishment and pushed on to the summit.

I was pretty freakin tired. And it got cold and rainy. It even snowed just a touch when I was at the top. It's another 2 miles or so from the summit to the Tram terminal. So about 9.5 miles all together.

The weather was pretty bad so I didn't take may pictures.