You leave Sandia and take the highway back down the mountain. This time John promises to avoid taking any dirt roads. You head back to Santa Fe via the Turquoise Trail. This road, State Road 14, runs behind the Sandia Mountains and through Madrid up to I-25. As John winds through the turning road up to the Santa Fe Ski Basin, trying not to use his brakes, you think to yourself that this is the longest day you can ever remember.
John parks at the Ski Basin and the three of you begin the hike. An innocent looking trail leads you across a river and into a series of switchbacks. The angle of ascent is very steep and you are stopping at every turn to catch your breath. After about 3/4 of a mile you find yourself at a gate. From here the trip up to Santa Fe Baldy (at 12,000 feet!) and back is about 13 miles. Hmmm... this sure is a long day....