The forest includes the Datil, Gallinas, Magdalena, Bear, Manzano, Sandia, San Mateo, and Zuni Mountains. The Sandias, just east of Albuquerque, are the most popular mountains within the Cibola National Forest, attracting more than 1.5 million visitors each year. During the warm summer months, the Sandias offer the visitor refreshing cool temperatures, relief from the warmer climate which surrounds the base of the mountain. Hiking the trails, enjoying a picnic lunch, photographing bighorn sheep, or going on a walk guided by one of the Forest Service naturalists are a few activities available. Many enjoy either driving or riding the tram to the top of the mountain on a summer evening to view a spectacular sunset and watch the twinkling of the city lights below.
Winter changes the mountain's character completely.
From November through March the higher elevations are covered with a blanket of snow. Some visit the mountain top simply to photograph the unusual and interesting shapes of trees covered by snow and ice. In this short time, the visitor sees the changes in vegetation that are encountered during a drive from Albuquerque to Canada. The Gallinas Mountains are a small isolated range west of Corona, New Mexico. The elevation at Gallinas Peak, the highest point, is 8,637 feet.