The Cibola National Forest is located in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma, and is part of the Southwestern Region.
Like most of the National Forests located in the western states, the Cibola National Forest grew out of lands that originally were known as Forest Reserves. These reserves were first established in the late 1800s and early 1900s as a means of affording protection to natural resources, such as watersheds, trees, and soils.

Cibola, pronounced See-bo-lah, is thought to be the original Zuni Indian name for their group of pueblos or tribal lands. Later, the Spanish interpreted the word to mean, "buffalo."

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Spruce - Fir Vegetation Type
Elevation here 10,400 feet
Cibola National Forest

The Cibola National Forest is 1,625,542 acres in size. Elevation ranges from 5,000-11,301 feet. The forest includes the Datil, Gallinas, Magdalena, Bear, Manzano, Sandia, San Mateo, Mt. Taylor, and Zuni Mountains. There are four wildernesses contained within the forest: the Sandia Mountain, Manzano Mountain, Withington, and Apache Kid. The Cibola National Grasslands are located in northeastern New Mexico, western Oklahoma, and northwestern Texas, and are 263,954 acres in size.

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The Sandia Mountains are just due south of the southern terminus of the Rocky Mountains, and are part of the Sandia–Manzano Mountains. This is largely within the Cibola National Forest and protected as the Sandia Mountain Wilderness. The highest point is Sandia Crest, 10,678 feet (3,255 m).

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The Sandias are a small range, a part of the Basin and Range Province, but built by a different phenomenon, consisting of a single north-south ridge, which rises to two major summits: Sandia Crest and South Sandia Peak, 9,702 ft (2,957 m). The range measures approximately 17 miles (26 km) north-south, and the width in the east-west direction varies from 4 to 8 miles (6 to 12 km). The west side of the range is steep and rugged, with a number of sheer rock walls and towers near Sandia Crest. The east side has a gentler slope.

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You are on Sandia Crest, one mile above Albuquerque & two miles above sea level. From this point you can see in all directions - 100 miles on a clear day. Enjoy the view!
A quarter-mile self guided nature trail beginning south of the Crest House introduces you to the local flora & fauna. The tram is 1.8 miles south of this area. The Crest Trail runs north & south from here, & a spur trail connects to the La Luz Trail just below, south of the Crest House. Wear appropriate clothing & shoes for hiking; take plenty of water & a map. For more information visit the Crest House & Visitor Information Desk inside.
Watermelon Crest
The Sandia Mountains were created by an uplift, leaving the forested eastern slope you just drove up, & a craggy, rugged western face. The rosy colored granite of this face turns crimson when the setting sun reflects on it; the early Spanish settlers named the mountain for the fruit of that color: Sandia (Watermelon).
Rio Grande Valley
At your feet, Albuquerque spreads across the Rio Grande Valley. A line of extinct volcanoes dot the western horizon & on most days you can see Mount Taylor 911,301 feet above sea level).

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