Embudito Trailhead to 'Secret' Granite Fort

Apologies in advance - my sim card got damaged and I've lost the photos I took of the hike. I'll try to get more and add them later.

I used to hike this nearly every weekend as a kid growing up in ABQ. It's a super great trail for a family with kids because it's an easy grade, with wildlife opportunity, good chance for surface water in the creek, shade on a hot day, and a fun little "Fort" for kids to explore.

It's a super easy, two-thirds of a mile hike thru a beautiful high desert canyon to a pronounced crack in a granite formation large enough to enter on foot.

The canyon is a riparian area - meaning it has surface water - and affords a good chance at seeing wildlife and/or wildlife sign (droppings, footprints, middens, etc.)

You can drive right to the trailhead and park for free. This trail is good because it veers off the main, more established path that heads north thru the foothills towards Sandia Heights. It also goes into the canyon instead of heading up the hillside above the canyon. Keep in mind that a riparian area is more sensitive to damage and disruption from humans - so if you take this trail, you must be extra careful not to leave any traces or disrupt the wildlife.

You'll cross three gates to get going on this trail and head around behind the buried water reservoir. You'll know you're headed in the right direction when you see a Information Board just East of the third gate. The trail continues on past this sign.

The trail will fork East of the sign. Keep to the right (see waypoint). The reason for this is that the trail is narrower, less used, and higher up the canyon slope. This keeps you farther from other hikers (I'm a private hiker) and keeps you out of the deep gravel that appears later as you near the ravine. Hiking in deep gravel isn't pleasant. Plus, this trail usually has more little diggers, lizards, birds, and rabbits to see.

Eventually you'll descend into the Embudito Creek wash. Depending on time of year and other conditions, you may find surface water this far downstream. Depending on the level of maintenance, you may also see one or several concrete troughs built to provide pooling points for water for local wildlife. Please be conscientious about this water - don't pollute it. Often the troughs are buried in gravel from storm runs.

Not long after you enter the wash, it will make a gradual bend South. There really isn't any great method for wayfinding to the trail exit to find the fort. It's best to use the GPS track and waypoint.

Once you're at the trail exit, look to your left (East) across the creek. You should be able to see an approx. 2-foot wide crevice between two large pieces of granite. There is another piece of granite sloping steeply upwards between the pieces. This is the hardest part of the hike but it's short. You will need to shimmy up this crevice and squeeze thru the opening at the back of it. If you're hiking with kids, they will probably need your help.

Just inside the opening at the top of the crevice on the right is the "Fort." It is a large, maybe 4-foot wide crack in a huge granite monolith in the canyon wall. The walls are uniformly vertical and the floor of the crack has filled up with gravel making it level and easy to stand on. There is a smaller vertical shield of granite standing maybe 6 inches off the West wall making for sort of a bench to sit on.

This is a great place to have a snack or lunch. You can feel hidden off the trail and watch thru the opening as other hikers come and go. Please make certain to clean up after yourself. Sometimes less considerate hikers leave trash in the Fort and it certainly makes it feel less like a secret hiding place.

Head back out the way you came in. You can continue up the canyon and see some great little waterfalls and do the granite monolith scramble on the opposite side of the canyon.

Cheers!