Heather Gram selected a lovely trail, somewhat strenuous with oak thickets, lots of boulders and stunning views to the top of the Sandias and of the valley, down town Albuquerque, and La Dome. Seven of the 9 of us hiked on the Tramway Trail, about 5 1/2 miles round trip from the Tram parking lot to La Luz Trailhead and back. Kathleen and Bob stopped en route and took in the views from atop a boulder. The day started off a cool 55 degrees and cloudy. The profuse dark maroon prickly pears were ready to be picked. And we did see a local mother with two children and a bucket harvesting them with long tongs.

The participants were Heather Gram, leader, Scott Lake, Pam Bliss, Ruth Wilson, Bob Haladay, Rick Held, Kathleen Rhoad, Bruce Newton and Judith Parsons.

Thanks, Heather for a delicious after hike burger cookout over charcoal and for sharing the amenities of your community room. And thanks to everyone who brought a side dish.

Pictures provided by Kathleen, Rick and Scott.

Heather (Kathleen)
Kathleen with Albuquerque in the Background
The hikers left to right – Heather, Pam, Bob, Rick, Ruth, Judith, Bruce and Scott (Kathleen).
Another group pic – left to right – Heather, Pam, Bob, Rick, Ruth and Judith (Kathleen)
Taking a Brake (Rick)
Taking a Brake (Rick)
One of the Many Snakeweed Plants we Saw (Scott)
Prickly Pear with Ripe Fruit (Kathleen)
There Were Many Oaks Along the Trail (Kathleen)
Clouds Crowning the Sandias (Scott)
View of Albuquerque (Kathleen)
Clouds Crowning the Sandias (Scott)