There are about 50 Geocaches hidden in the Sandia Mountains (as of
August, 2003).
Geocaches in the Sandia Mountains
There are about 50 Geocaches hidden in the Sandia Mountains (as of
August, 2003).
What is Geocaching?
Geocaching is basically a high-tech treasure hunt. Someone hides a "cache" (typically a tupperware container or ammo cannister) with several low-value items in it (for example, keychain, yoyo, pocketknife, Hotwheels car). They post the coordinates of the hiding place on the http://www.geocaching.com/ web site, and a short description of the hike, or how to get there.
People use a GPS receiver to make their way to the published latitude and longitude and try to find the cache. (Click here to learn more about the basics of GPS.) When they find it, there is a log book inside to sign-in, and the finder can take a trinket as a souvenier if they also leave another item of comparable value. The finder then can go to the geocaching web site and log onto that cache's web page, and post a note that they have found it.
Caches can vary in difficulty from quite easy to a four hour (or more) round trip hike.
You can search by zip code to find the caches hidden in a certain area. The caches currently hidden in the Sandia Mountains listed below are given in order of increasing distance from the zip code 87112.
A Geocaching FAQ (Frequently Asked Question) page is available.
Petrock by Crabhouse (N 35° 6.751', W 106° 29.271')
An easy, family friendly cache, near the end of Candelaria NE.
Pooh's Hunny Pot by Boo Boo (N 35° 6.951', W 106° 29.332')
An easy, family friendly cache, near the end of Candelaria NE.
The Hershey Trail by Dave (N 35° 6.054', W 106° 28.833')
An easy, family friendly cache, near the end of Indian School NE.
John Hancock by 6DogNight (N 35° 6.733', W 106° 28.970')
A significant scramble up Piedra Lisa Canyon.
Arroyo Boulder
Hike by Hiltz (N 35° 6.314', W 106° 28.622')
A rock scramble near the
Embudo Trail.
As the Crow
Flies by Hiltz (N 35° 6.932', W 106° 28.710')
A strenuous climb just north
of Piedra Lisa Canyon
An easy, family friendly cache, near the end of Copper NE.
P.J.'s Treasure by Hikesouthwest (N 35° 4.791', W 106° 28.828')
An easy, family friendly cache, near the end of Copper NE.
Silver Strike by Hikesouthwest (N 35° 4.939', W 106° 28.680')
An easy, family friendly cache, near the end of Copper NE.
Alcove Cache by Hikesouthwest (N 35° 4.875', W 106° 28.235')
A moderate hike, with one significant rock scramble.
Micro Dilemma by The Puzzler (N 35° 4.059', W 106° 29.024')
Very fun puzzle to solve while making your way to the cache.
The Big Eye by Leyenbrecher (N 35° 4.577', W 106° 27.989')
A moderate hike to a little-known Sandia Mountain landmark.
South Sandia Schedule 40 by Mouser (N 35° 5.036', W 106° 27.682')
Fairly difficult hike up rugged terrain.
Yogi's Picnic Basket by Boo Boo (N 35° 8.402', W 106° 28.845')
An easy, family friendly cache; south end of the Elena Gallegos Open Space.
Full Metal Yucca by Ganelo (N 35° 3.801', W 106° 28.730')
Futuristic outdoor sulpture.
The Kokopelli Home by 2BHidden (N 35° 8.190', W 106° 28.446')
A short hike up Embudito Trail.
Boo Boo's Hideaway by Boo Boo (N 35° 8.567', W 106° 28.689')
An easy, family friendly cache; south end of the Elena Gallegos Open Space.
Geocache by Larry and Adeline (N 35° 5.827', W 106° 26.998')
A moderate hike up Embudo Canyon.
Oso Pass Cache by Ganelo (N 35° 7.068', W 106° 26.558')
A moderate hike to Oso Pass.
Bobcat's Hideout by Phyl & Mike (N 35° 9.544', W 106° 29.020')
A fun multi-stage cache near the Elena Gallegos Open Space.
Monte Cache by 2BHidden (N 35° 4.771', W 106° 26.487')
A short hike near Three Gun Spring Trail.
Deer Pass Cache by Ganelo (N 35° 6.621', W 106° 25.650')
A long hike to Deer Pass near South Sandia Peak.
Faulty CCC-Cache by Ganelo (N 35° 6.010', W 106° 24.463')
A moderate hike up South Crest Trail.
Pino Trail Cache by Team Blaze (N 35° 10.110', W 106° 26.522')
A moderate hike up beautiful Pino Trail.
Hidden Couger #1 by Cougar Paw (N 35° 11.328', W 106° 28.700')
An easy, family friendly cache, near the Tram.
Route 66 Kustom Kulture by 6DogNight (N 35° 5.733', W 106° 23.649')
A short hike up South Crest Trail, near the travertine falls.
Tower 2 by TomBaldwin (N 35° 11.561', W 106° 27.537')
Probably the most difficult geocache to get to in the Sandias. Beware!
A Virtual Picnic by Ganelo (N 35° 12.265', W 106° 29.236')
A virtual cache to a historic area.
TWA Canyon by Gliderguy (N 35° 11.805', W 106° 26.532')
A very rugged and difficult hike. Round trip may take five hours.
Four Aces by Ganelo (N 35° 12.374', W 106° 34.058')
Solve a hard puzzle to determine the actual cache location.
Geocache by ElectricNose (N 35° 12.652', W 106° 28.008')
A moderate hike up La Luz Trail.
Arroyo Armijo by Ganelo (N 35° 9.378', W 106° 23.372')
A moderate hike through a little-traveled area.
Lost Mine at the Rockpile by Mouser (N 35° 12.441', W 106° 27.318')
A five mile hike up La Luz Trail.
Sandia Crest by Uintahboy (N 35° 12.605', W 106° 26.976')
A virtual cache in a very popular tourist location.
Looking at La Luz by Lobo Arturo (N 35° 13.146', W 106° 26.645')
A steep climb at the end of an otherwise short hike.
Bear Run by Fearsome Foursome (N 35° 10.694', W 106° 23.419')
A nice, moderate hike near Oso Corredor Trail.
10K Moth Attack by thegoofy4 (N 35° 12.829', W 106° 26.501')
A nice, easy hike near 10K Trail.
Wow! I Can See Eight Countries From Here Cache. by VXR-608-12-2027 (N 35° 8.886', W 106° 22.081')
A quirky cache in the eastern foothills. Nice view.
Catchin' Some Rays by Ganelo (N 35° 12.250', W 106° 24.873')
A virtual cache at the site of Embudo Cave, near the Sandia Peak Ski Area.
Tecolote Treasure by Ganelo (N 35° 11.682', W 106° 23.704')
An easy hike, with panoramic views all around.
Land of Enchantment Happy by CCCooperAgency and the Puzzler (N 35° 10.174', W 106° 22.050')
A very happy cache near Tinkertown.
Las Huertas Overlook by Ganelo (N 35° 13.324', W 106° 25.624')
A nice overlook awaits you after an easy hike.
Flatlander's Delight by Leyenbrecher (N 35° 14.191', W 106° 27.689')
A difficulty hike to the North Peak and the Knife Edge of the Shield.
Jasper's Overlook by ABQ-TJ (N 35° 12.795', W 106° 24.318')
A short hike to the cache, with a nice canyon overlook.
Sample Powder Cache #1 by Richd-Abq and Bruce H. (N 35° 14.817', W 106° 28.717')
A moderate hike up Piedra Lisa Trail (from the south end). Beautiful views await.
Dead Tree Overlook by Broken Wing (N 35° 15.352', W 106° 28.588')
A difficult hike through rugged terrain.
Lagunita Seca by Ganelo (N 35° 13.679', W 106° 23.958')
A modest hike to a beautiful meadow, off of the Las Huertas road.
Abby's Tea by Jonknite (N 35° 13.912', W 106° 24.152')
A just uphill from Lagunita Seca. A difficult rock scramble at the end.
In Memory of New York's Americans by Jim Dick, Jr. (N 35° 15.965', W 106° 28.129')
A moderate hike up Piedra Lisa Trail from the north.
Sandia Man Cave by ABQ-TJ (N 35° 15.075', W 106° 24.527')
A very short hike, with a rock scramble at the end.
Agua Sarca Cache by The Bice Brothers (N 35° 16.573', W 106° 26.840')
A rather difficult hike through rugged terrain. You are rewarded with nice views..
jackrabbit jaunt by wr_50m (N 35° 17.577', W 106° 26.251')
A challenging multi-cache near the Tunnel Spring trailhead.
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