Route: Crest Trail #130 (Sandia Mtns, NM)

Travis McWhorter posted the route:  [Note that this is different from the Crest Trail #25]

The Sandia Mountains surround Albuquerque and the Crest Trail 130 runs from north to south or vice-versa.

Description of a single crossing: 

"The Sandia Crossing is a 26.3 mile Wilderness run which begins at the south side of the

Sandia Mountains and crosses the entire Sandia Mountain Range on the Crest Trail

#130. The course will begin at the Canyon Estates trailhead and finish at the north end

of the trail at the Tunnel Springs trailhead near Placitas. The course is approximately 29

miles long and includes many steep climbs on both a rocky and challenging trail.

A brief description of the course is an initial 3000 foot climb from the start at 6550'

up to just below the South Peak at 9550ft in approximately 7.5 miles. Then the trail

winds through Aspen forests dropping down slightly to the Canyoncito trail intersection

at 9250ft and about 10&3/4 miles. Next is a short climb up and over another nearly

9500ft high point then down to the Cienega/ Pino trail intersections at 9250ft. Then on

for another 2 miles to the Tree Spring trail intersection. This point is about 14&1/4 miles

and 9450 ft. The course then goes uphill for a brutal mile at 10,050 feet before

flattening somewhat to right below the Aerial Tramway at 16 miles and 10,340ft. Then

on to the Crest at about 17.6. This high point of 10,650 ft marks the end of the major

climbing and now the course descends for some 11.4 miles to the finish. There is one

tough 200' 1/2 mile climb starting one mile from the finish, but then the final 1/2 mile is a

gentle downhill. It is an awesome run but very challenging."

McWhorter completed a double crossing (52 miles):

52 miles - 12:46 

I started from the south at 6:04 AM on December 6th, 2014 and finished at 6:50 PM. 52 miles with 11,000' of gain. Max elevation: 10,600', min: 6,600'. I carried all of my food/supplies but was given fluids a few times. I set an FKT on this route. Marco Zuniga had previously done it in 13 hrs, otherwise there is no record of it being done. Unfortunately, my GPS died at mile 46 which was highly surprising considering it's a Suunto Ambit 2 and should've lasted 24 hrs. I attribute it failing due to inclement, cold-weather.

www.movescount.com/moves/move47003668

-Travis McWhorter