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Lookout · Turquoise Trail

Overlook

OpenStreetMap
Looking north-west from Overlook. Terrain and imagery at true elevation.
Overview · Assembled from verified data

This overlook sits along the Turquoise Trail at an elevation of 9,051 feet, facing 325 degrees. The terrain drops 509 feet within 600 meters of the site. Rio Rancho lies 15.8 miles west-northwest, Albuquerque is 15.8 miles southwest, and Santa Fe is 42.3 miles northeast; Sandia Peak is the next lookout along the route.

The overlook is reached by the Balsam Glade Nature Trail, which begins within the Balsam Glade Picnic Site at an elevation between 8,620 and 8,660 feet. The trail runs 0.3 miles one way with an elevation gain of about 40 feet, making it accessible for a range of visitors. Along the path, remains of the old YMCA Camp chowhall, which operated from about 1935 to 1941, are visible to the right. Cell phone coverage is not guaranteed in the area. Visitors should consult the Sandia Mountain Trails map to plan their route, and hiking is the designated use for this trail.

Access
0.4 mi detour
Elevation
9,051 ft
View
Northwest · 325°
Relief
509 ft drop
Photos · Real imagery only
Aspens in the Sandia Mountains east of Albuquerque. Panorama made from three images.
BFS Man from Webster, TX, USA · CC BY 2.0 · source
New Mexico State Road 165 near Palomas Peak Trailhead. The road is unimproved with bare dirt and rocks making for a slow, bumpy, drive.
G. Edward Johnson · CC BY 4.0 · source
New Mexico State Road 536 looking west down the mountain near the intersection with New Mexico State Road 165.
G. Edward Johnson · CC BY 4.0 · source
Sandia Peak
dconvertini · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Sandia Peak
dconvertini · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Sandia Peak
dconvertini · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
When to look · Sun at this latitude

Light

DateSunriseSunsetGolden hour
March equinox07:1019:1818:44
June solstice05:5220:2419:47
September equinox06:5419:0418:31
December solstice07:1116:5816:19

Local time (America/Denver). Computed for this exact position.

Getting there · Position and access

Where it is

  • Rio Rancho15.8 mi west-northwest
  • Albuquerque15.8 mi southwest
  • Santa Fe42.3 mi northeast
After it: Sandia Peak →
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From the source · Verbatim

Balsam Glade Nature Tr - La Madera Canyon Overlook · U.S. Forest Service

Balsam Glade Nature Trail Trailhead is within the Balsam Glade Picnic Site. The nature trail begins at an elevation of 8,620’ to 8,660’ for an elevation gain of 40 feet It is 0.3 miles one way and is a good trail to introduce to young and old, as there is little elevation gain and the rewarding view at La Madera Overlook is amazing. Along the path, to your right you'll find the steps of old YMCA Camp chowhall that operated from about 1935 to 1941.

Please refer to the Sandia Mountain Trails map to plan your course.

The interpretive trail is a short, stand-alone trail within the picnic area.Cell phone coverage is not guaranteedTrail(s) are open for the following uses: Hiking

Read it at U.S. Forest Service →
Common questions

How high is Overlook?

Overlook sits at about 9,051 feet (2,759 m).

What is the nearest town to Overlook?

Rio Rancho, 16 miles WNW of Overlook.

What is the next lookout after Overlook?

Sandia Peak is the next surfaced lookout along the same route after Overlook.

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