SUMMARY: 7.3k feet to 7.7k feet, 3.7 mile loop

DESCRIPTION: In addition to its heavily used recreational areas within Albuquerque, the City’s Open Space Division also maintains five less-visited public lands east of the Sandia and Manzanita Mountains. The largest of these is Juan Tomas Open Space, which encompasses 1,290 acres of primarily pinon-juniper forest growing as high as 7,760 feet. It lies adjacent to the Sandia Ranger District’s extensive multi-use trail network.

GETTING THERE: Take the Tijeras exit from Interstate 40, drive south on State Highway 337 for 9 miles (passing by Juan Tomas Road). Turn east (left) on Oak Flat Road. Continue east (past the Oak Flat Group Picnic Area) for about 1.8 miles. Turn into the gravel parking area on the left side of the road in front of a pipe gate

CONDITIONS: The trail is in good condition, generally dirt with only a few short sections of rock. It can be very muddy in the spring or after a rain. It is easy to follow, however there are several side trials and nothing is marked.

NMVFO has done recent work on this area: