Watermelon Loop in the Sandias (NM)

New Mexico, US

Distance

21.1 mi

This is a rather popular loop among ultra-runners in the area, so I wanted to post my slow time with the hope of seeing what some faster runners can do.

The loop starts at the Elena Gallegos trailhead in the Sandia Foothills, then heads north along Trail 365 to the Sandia Tramway station. From there, a small trail links up to the iconic La Luz Trail. This trail goes to the crest or, when doing the Watermelon Loop, follows a path to the Ski Lodge/Tram station. The South Crest trail is picked up at the ski area and followed to the top of the Pino Trail. The Pino Trail is then followed back to the Elena Gallegos parking lot. This clockwise direction is the standard direction.

The route is right at 21 miles, with ~4700' of vert.

GPS Track

Watermelon_Loop_FKT_4_13.gpx334.73 KB

FKTs

Standard route

Male

Unsupported
Stephen Kersh	3h 15m 13s	2021-05-08
Ethan Linck	3h 23m 21s	2020-10-03
Christopher Bratton	3h 55m 13s	2020-06-14
Matthew Thompson	4h 6m 38s	2020-05-30
Dustin Sandquist	4h 13m 46s	2019-09-27

Female

Unsupported
Michelle Hummel			3h 35m 54s	2020-06-27
Marcy Beard			6h 41m 24s	2020-05-29

This route on the old FKT site

http://fastestknowntime.proboards.com/thread/557/watermelon-loop-sandias-nm

Comments

I'm making an unacclimated attempt at the Watermelon Loop tomorrow. I heard there's construction around the tram station (thank you Christopher!) so I'll be double-checking everything there. I'm trying to get the Garmin website to work tonight (was very finicky and now it doesn't come up at all), but my new Mini should send the tracking points here once I start: https://share.garmin.com/MarcyBeard

With a time of 3:35:28 athlete Sabeyta17 held the FKT for this route from 8/22/20-10/03/20.

My wife and I went out and did this loop last Saturday, 8/7. It was fricking amazing and highly recommended. Note that the gate to Elena DOES NOT OPEN until 7 am. But there is parking outside the locked gate. The 365, Tramway and La Luz trails are all in good condition. The Pino is overgrown but still nice. Note that the Tramway has cold water in the Tram building.

We had a blast but didn't set any FKTs as they are stout for both genders, so it was the Funnest Known Time.

Route: Watermelon Loop in the Sandias (NM)

FKTs

Comments