the clouds thickened as the truck increased in elevation. All the while the digits in the thermometer gradually decreased to a cool 55.
The view was incredible when looking down at spot showers in ABQ. One can't help but smile at the view and to think of the looming descent that's going to test the rider and the bike. The latter was tested as evidenced by nature's repair stand.
Starting at the helipad take the go through the gate on the service road and immediately look for a single track on the left. You will come to a hairpin turn after a hundred yards or so, make a right. You will follow this trail to the second intersection. From here you will have to hike-a-bike (no bikes allowed) up to the second section of this trail which will start another few hundred yards up on the left.. I'm not completely sure why they don't make this connection legit? Anyway, this second section is rarely ridden by bikes and is a real hoot! It basically peters out at the skil hill though. We usually bootleg down to the intersection of 10k and Tree Spring from here.
All the cross country ski trails on Sandia are marked by blue diamonds. So top of Watermelon is just as good of a description.
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Actually, correct me if I'm wrong, but 10k is the only trail marked by a blue diamond west, but I don't think this trail is considered part of 10k because it extends well past the 10k TH parking lot. It actually parallels below the Crest Trail and the viewpoints are easily accessed.