[NMCCSC] Sandia Crest today

[Amy Mathis]

Hi all,
I skied about 7.5 miles on our trails today.  It took me forever to get out of the house so I didn't get up there until 10:30.  The Crest Road is fine for all cars, there are just some residual icy/slushy places in the shade.  I parked at the 10K lot and skied up the Sandia Nordic groomers and did a lap on the upper 10k meadow.  The groomed snow is holding up beautifully and there was only one spot where I came across a rock.  From the Ellis parking lot I skied up Switchbacks.  Switchbacks is still very skiable with some tree debris and crust in some places.  From there I skied down the upper service road and across Kiwanis Meadow.  Surprisingly the snow in the meadow was very consistent.  There were snow drifts to deal with but I was able to cruise on through to Gravel Pit.  Gravel Pit was okay, but just be careful on those steep, sharp descents.  It has mostly been used by snowshoers.  Once I reached the end of that it dumped me out at the top of the alpine ski area and I took the service road to Rocky Point.  Rocky Point was also skiable, but the entire trail was very post-holed and the snow felt soft from warming temperatures.  Once I got back to Ellis parking area, I skied back down the Challenge Trail to the 10k Parking lot.  
All in all, a good day out with still good conditions.  Sandia Nordic has classic tracks set in the groomers and along the Service Road.  I'd say it was in the low 40s up there by the time I finished up around 1:00.  Not sure how long the snow will hold but there is no weather other than wind and sun in the foreseeable future.  I will be heading up there again hopefully next week if anyone would like to join me!
-Amy
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