We are finally through January!  We made it through my least-favorite (holiday hang-over) month and we are well into one of my favorite times in Albuquerque– February is amazing!  The sun is at the perfect height in the most blue sky– allowing a bit of warmth against just-the-right amount of chill.

I grab a hold of this month and will it to be longer than the usual 28 days– I try to stretch it by spending what time I can steal away running in the foothills of High Desert.  All over again, I am reminded of our good fortune to live so close to such an abundance of outdoor activity. Backing up to Cibola National Forest, hiking and cycling opportunities are endless, wildlife sightings are not uncommon and the scenery is spectacular!  These trails are made up of loops and out and backs and are open to any mix of bicycles, horse- riders, hikers, climbers and runners amounting to hours of exploration. The air is clean, the people are refreshingly healthy and if you live within walking or riding distance, it’s all free! (there is a nominal $1-$2 fee to park your car at the trail heads).

Consider making your home in High Desert. High Desert is perfect for those wishing for equal parts solitude and community.  This is a newer planned community made up of 24 different villages and over 75 acres of common-use area.  The homes range from high-end townhouses and patio homes to grand single family-homes.  Lot sizes range from .25 acre- 1 acre, prices range from $400,000 to multi-million.  You can, no kidding, have all of this in your backyard.

For more information locating trails in High Desert, see “The Foothills” Trail System

Hiking areas around Albuquerque

A fellow Pacific-Northwesterner’s take on our amazing trail system

Search for homes in High Desert here