Montano Bridge/Aldo Leopold/Rio Grande Nature Center Loop Hike
In Albuquerque Region

Map File Source:

Hike Key: H10707
Last Updated: 10/06/2021 12:00am
Last Updated By: Marilyn Fixer
Hike Class: B (Moderate)
Hike Distance: 5.4 mi
Minimum Elevation: 50 ft
Elevation Change: 50 ft
Total Uphill: 0 ft
Total Downhill: 0 ft
Avg. Grade: %
Route Type: Messy
On Trail: Yes
Paved or Gravel Roads: No
GPS Advised: No
Drive Distance Round Trip: 12 mi
Drive Time One-Way: 0:15
Hiking Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
New Mexico Game Unit: 9
Hike Status: In Process

Highlights

Pueblo Montano Chainsaw Sculpture Garden, newly added Aldo Leopold trail and the Rio Grande Nature Center.

Cautions

We will walk on the sidewalk along Montano for 0.6 mile one way in case anyone has trouble breathing car exhaust.

Trailhead Directions

From the center drive down Montgomery/Montano. Just past the Rio Grande is a pullout to park on the south side of Montano. This is also an entrance to Bosque School.

Actual Hike

We will start by a walk around the sculpture garden. We will then head east on the sidewalk from the Montano parking area to the Aldo Leopold Trail head on the east side of the river, 0.6 miles. The Aldo Leopold Trail is a gravel trail that is about one mile in length and intersects with the Bosque Loop Trail, 1.25 miles. We will take the Bosque Loop Trail 0.64 miles south of the Rio Grande Nature Centerand return to the bridge that crosses the Paseo del Bosque Trail and Riverside Drain at the Rio Grande Nature Center, 0.64 miles. Once we enter the Rio Grande Nature Center, hikers will have about 1 hour to eat and explore. The extra 0.6 miles of hiking is included for walking in the Nature Center. If the hike leader wishes to arrange a ranger talk, this would be a nice addition to the hike.
Our return trip takes us back over the bridge over the Riverside Drain and this time we will follow the River Loop Trail, 0.55 miles. Upon completing the River Loop Trail we will rejoin the Bosque Loop trail heading north until we reach the junction of the Aldo Leopold Trail, 1.25 miles total and back across Montano to the parking lot, 0.6 miles.

Comments

Depending on the time of year, hikers can see and hear cranes, geese, ducks. A variety of birds inhabit the area throughout the year.

Bicyclists co-use the trail.

There a few steps on the Bosque Loop Trail but hikers can also walk up the trail.

Text Author: Cathy Intemann
Map Author:
Waypoints Author:
Track Author:
Maintainer: Cathy Intemann
Editor: Marilyn Warrant