The foothills of the Sandias [0] -- the mountain range that anchors Albuquerque -- are a quick 15-minute drive from my house. This open space has a network of dry, rocky trails that are amazing and easily accessible. They constantly beckon Albuquerque residents come out to play.

You’d think that I’d manage to get up to the foothills [1] more often, but I don't go up there as much I could. Some of my lame excuses include traffic, wind, allergies, and the remote chance of encountering a rattlesnake.

And then, there’s the fact that a walk in the foothills isn’t a walk, exactly. It’s a hike. I can tell myself that I’m simply taking a late afternoon stroll, but my burning calves will quickly set the record straight.

Locals know that the best time to go to the foothills is about an hour before it get dark because of the rich afternoon light (dubbed “the golden hour”) and the dazzling desert sunsets. That's true even in mid-April, when the wind gusts are intense and the iffy weather makes it hard to judge whether you'll need to bring super-strong sunscreen or winter gloves. Chances are, you'll need both.

Being up in the foothills always takes my breath away -- and I mean both “Wow, it’s gorgeous up here,” and “Wow, I’m struggling for oxygen because of the 1,000 ft. elevation gain.” The air is definitely thinner up here, but it feels clean and crisp.

My favorite part of this hike is always the descent -- and not just because it's so much easier to go downhill. If you time it right, the return trip offers an incredible view of the sunset, which almost always leaves dramatic orange and purple stripes in the sky. And then, the city lights start to flicker on.

When I stop and take in the view, I realize that I can come up with thousands of excuses for not taking regular walks up here. But, no excuse is good enough to miss this.

Su Avasthi [1]

Albuquerque, NM