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Visitors to Elena Gallegos Picnic Area Albuquerque and Albert G. Simms Park enjoy many activities below the backdrop of the Sandia Mountains, which were named for their pink colors at sunset – “- “Sandia” means “watermelon” in Spanish.”
https://exploretraveler.com/16-top-travel-places-in-new-mexico-to-plan-a-backpacking-trip/
In the Elena Gallegos Open space system, the 640-acre park is a hidden gem. At an elevation of about 6,500 feet, visitors can view Mt. Taylor to the west, the Jemez Mountains to the north, and the vast Tijeras Arroyo to the south.
The landscape supports a piñon-juniper habitat that includes Chamisa, Apache plume, scrub oak, cane cholla cactus, blue grama grass, bear grass, and soapweed yucca. If visitors use their observation skills packrat nests can be seen under juniper trees, coyote and bear scat can be identified along the elena gallegos trail, and the elusive cougar may be spotted traveling through natural drainage.
Winter Hours for visiting Elena Gallegos (In effect starting Nov. 1): 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Summer Hours for visiting Elena Gallegos (In effect starting April 1): 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
The Cibola National Forest covers more than 1.6 million acres in New Mexico, with elevations ranging from 2,700 feet to over 11,300 feet. We have four ranger districts: Sandia, Mountainair, Magdalena, and Mt. Taylor. In addition, the Cibola has four wilderness areas: Sandia Mountain, Manzano Mountain, Withington, and Apache Kid.
#hiking #CibolaNationalForest #NationalForest #ExploreTraveler #elenagallegosalbuquerque
#elenagallegospark #elenagallegostrail
