Sandia-Manzano Mountains

The Sandia-Manzano Mountains are a substantial mountain area that defines the eastern edge of the middle Rio Grande valley of central New Mexico. They are not only an attractive backdrop to greater Albuquerque, the largest metropolitan area in New Mexico, but their elevation changes provide recreational opportunities including winter skiing and cool summer hiking or picnicing, as compared to the desert grasslands, foothills, and valley below. The entire mountain chain comprises two parts, the Sandia Mountains to the north, and the Manzano Mountains to the south, separated by Tijeras Canyon, through which runs Interstate 40, following the path of historic U.S. Route 66.

The Sandia-Manzano Mountains are often considered to be the northernmost major range in the Mexican Highlands geographic province. A substantial distance gap of much lower elevation grasslands and savanna exists between the Sangre de Cristos and the Sandia Mountains, and climate conditions shift between both ranges.

This distinction is further made by plant, animal, and insect species that are common in both the Sandia-Manzano Mountains and in other mountainous areas to the south, but diminish quickly in the mountains to the north. These include Quercus turbinella, Opuntia engelmannii, Aloysia wrightii, and the western diamondback rattlesnake. However, at higher elevations in the Sandia-Manzano Mountains, a strong climatically driven Rocky Mountain biotic element exists.

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