Hi, Justin--
I am concerned that you will not be accompanied, as if you slip and fall on the ice and are injured there may be no one to render assistance. Hypothermia is a real threat if someone becomes incapacitated and is exposed to the extreme cold for a length of time. Be sure you have your cell phone with you. Crest House is at the top of the road, and the feeders will either still be to the south and/or southeast of the rear of Crest House, near the lower parking lot, or relocated nearer the upper lot. The lower lot is not expected to be maintained or plowed during the period of closure, so it may be very slippery and hazardous. Hopefully, the upper lot will be plowed but it can be very slippery as well.
Just follow the directions at this link:
http://rosyfinch.com/sandia.html#DIRECTIONS_TO_SANDIA_CRESTI am quoting pertinent content here, FYI, but see the link for more information--
Do not confuse the base of the Sandia Peak Ski Area, at the 7 mile mark, with Sandia Crest, at 13.5 miles, the very top. There are no Rosy-Finch feeders at the Ski Area! The Tram from Albuquerque goes to the Peak, which is a mile south of the Crest. The 1.5 mile trail connecting the Peak and Crest should not be attempted by casual hikers, especially in winter.
Take I-40 East out of Albuquerque to Exit 175 (Cedar Crest/ NM 14). Exit 175 is about 20 miles East of the I-25 / I-40 intersection. Exit right from I-40 but bear to the left and then (at the traffic light) pass under I-40 to the north, following NM-14
Then:
Follow NM-14 signs north past Cedar Crest, total of about 6.0 miles, to NM 536 westbound, also known as the Crest Road or the road to the Sandia Ski Area. There is a gasoline station on the right side of the street just before the left turn.
Take NM-536 all the way to the top, about 13.5 miles (10,678 feet elevation). Look for Clark's Nutcrackers and Northern Pygmy-owl at the ski lift area, and Cassin's Finches and Pine Grosbeaks all along the higher reaches of the road.
The road to Sandia Crest, which is fully paved, is usually well maintained (plowed and heavily sanded). Because of the ski area, it is essential for the Forest Service to keep it open to the ski lifts, which are about 2/3 of the way up the 13 miles to the top.
Sometimes after a particularly big snowfall, or if there is a lot of blowing snow, there can be drifts and early morning ice in the upper reaches. Be particularly careful at curves and at stretches of road that are in the shade. We never had trouble in our 4WD Nissan Pathfinder, and a front wheel drive sedan should be able to make it even without chains if the road is sanded and there are no drifts.
If you arrive after a snowfall, call the Sandia Ranger District (505-281-3304) and ask about road conditions. The
State Highway Department Web page provides information about road conditions. Note the date and time of the advisory as it may be out of date, or call Road Advisory Hotline at: 1-800-432-4269.Be sure to check the weather and not attempt the drive up the mountain in heavy snow or immediately after a snowfall.
Locked
