Click below for 9 New Mexico Peak Challenges
On peakery.com there are 9 New Mexico peak challenges. I had all of the peaks in the challenges until recently when a new “peak” was added to the challenges. It is not really a peak but an interesting hill at the edge of Albuquerque. It is called U Mount, elevation 6307 and it got its name because in the 1960’s and before, there was a giant U on the mount written in white stone representing the university. After the recent November 14, 2021 article in the Albuquerque Journal about hiking the highest 184 (-2) peaks in New Mexico, the New Mexico Mountaineering club contacted me to speak the 3rd Wednesday in April 2022 at their meeting. I joined the club and noticed that a group of about 15 were hiking U Mount, so I signed up. I was looking forward to meeting some members. The club has almost 700 members and has been going since 1952.

It was a chilly, misty, rainy morning, March 30, 2022. The temperature was in the mid 40’s. We all met at the end of Copper Avenue, at the eastern edge of Albuquerque at 9:00 AM. We got on rain gear and our numbers had dwindled down to 8 because of the rain. Those that made it to the top were; our event organizer Tracy, Brian, Stephen, Joyce, Meredith, Marie, Amy and myself. The starting elevation was 5920 feet. It was a short hike, only nine-tenths of a mile to the top. I was surprised, we had to do a bit of scrambling to get to the top. It took 34 minutes with an elevation gain of 387 feet. It had a magical feel, mist all around, rain, Albuquerque to the west engulfed in low-lying clouds, and the beautiful rugged Sandia mountains to the east. We took some pictures then climbed down. I do not count a “peak” unless I get at least 3 miles for the hike, so I parted with the group. I put on my down jacket. It felt delightfully warm. They went back and I headed north, in a big loop around U Mount. It was a beautiful hike in the midst of boulders, stray pinion pines, cactus, and a wide variety of desert plants. I crossed paths with a little bunny and finished my loop. My total hike was 3.1 miles by my accurate GPS. My total elevation gain was 774 feet and the hike took 1 hour and 45 minutes. It was a beautiful morning and because of the rain I felt extra refreshed and thankful to be out in this beautiful country so close to home.