Forest Road 39 – Sandia Crest East Side

FR-39 attacks the Sandia Mountains from the desert side, climbing nearly 6,000 feet in 13 miles of increasingly technical terrain. The route starts innocently enough in the piñon and juniper foothills east of Albuquerque, but quickly turns serious as it climbs through limestone ledges and loose granite sections toward Sandia Crest. The final miles demand careful line selection through boulder fields and across exposed granite slabs where a wrong move means body damage or worse.

This is expert-level terrain requiring modified 4WDs with skid plates, aggressive tires, and low-range gearing. Recovery gear is mandatory—you will need it. Summer offers the best conditions, but afternoon thunderstorms can make the granite deadly slick. The payoff justifies the punishment: 360-degree views from the crest span from Colorado to Mexico on clear days. Only attempt this if you’ve got the skills and gear to handle genuine technical 4-wheeling. The easy way up is the western approach—this route is for those who want to earn their views the hard way.