Sandia Crest forms the high, forested ridgeline of the Sandia Mountains east of Albuquerque and, at 10,679 feet, is the highest point in the Sandia-Manzano Mountains. Its dramatic west face drops more than 4,000 feet toward the Rio Grande Valley, while the east side slopes gradually into the plains. Over time it became a major recreation and sightseeing destination, with roads, trails, ski facilities, and the Sandia Peak Tramway, which opened in 1966 after an ambitious international construction effort. The crest also reflects older land-use history, abandoned development plans, and notable geology, combining striking relief, access, and contested preservation into one of central New Mexico’s defining mountain landscapes.