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  • Temporary Road and Rec Area Closure Order for Road Construction on NFSR 333A and La Luz Trailhead

    Albuquerque, NM, July 31, 2025 – The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands (NF&NGs) has issued a temporary closure order (03-03-05-25-13) for National Forest System Roads (NFSR) 333A, and the La Luz Trail Head Parking area effective August 11, 2025, through September 10, 2025. The purpose of this order is to protect the public’s safety while the La Luz Pavement Restoration Construction project is being completed as described below and shown on the attached map.

    Work expected to be completed in the area includes: 

    • Pothole repair along NFSR 333 and 333A.
    • Mastic crack sealing along NFSR 333 and 333A.
    • Chipseal, fog seal, restriping, and parking stopper replacement along NFSR 333, 333A and within the La Luz Trailhead parking area

    The La Luz parking area will be closed in its entirety and NFSR 333A will be closed at the intersection of NFSR 333A/333E.

    Various single lane closures are also to be expected throughout NFSR 333 from its start at the National Forest boundary to its end at the NFSR 333/333A/333D intersection. At times La Luz Trailhead will not be open or accessible for trail access or parking. Please check the Cibola National Forest website for up to date information https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/recreation/la-luz-trailhead-and-la-luz-trail-137.

    Recommended alternative recreational opportunities: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/recreation

    • La Cueva Trailhead – La Luz trail can be accessed from the La Cueva trailhead. This will add approximately ½ mile to your trip for one way travel.
    • Embudito – This trail provides plenty of views of the Albuquerque area and will take you to South Sandia Peak as well as the South Crest Trail.

    • Three Gun Springs – This trail offers a more gradual accent to Oso Pass a South Sandia Peak with great view of the Manzanos

       

    The official closure order 03-03-05-25-13 posted on the Cibola NF & NGs website under Alerts & Notices.

    For more information on this order contact:
    Sandia Ranger District in Tijeras, New Mexico, (505) 281-3304
    Cibola NF&NGs Forest Supervisor’s Office - Albuquerque, NM, (575) 346-3900

Alert Start Date: August 1st, 2025

Alert End Date: September 30th, 2025

Rec Sites Affected:

La Luz Trailhead and La Luz Trail 137

Order Number: 03-03-05-25-13

Associated Documents

03-03-05-25-13 Sandia RD NFSR 333 and La Luz Order News Release on 03-03-05-25-13 Closure Order

Forest Order

U.S. Department of Agriculture

U.S. Forest Service 

Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands

Sandia Ranger District

Road and Recreation Area Closure

 

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands, and roads in the Sandia Ranger District, Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A the Described Area and Roads:

  1. Going into or being upon the prohibited area which is closed for public health and safety.  36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e). 

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

  1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).

  2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREA/ROADS/TRAILS

  • Section 35 Township 12 North, Range 4 East New Mexico Principal Meridian

  • Section 02 Township 11 North, Range 4 East New Mexico Principal Meridian

Specifically National Forest System Roads 333A at the intersection of 333A and 333E as well as the La Luz Trailhead Parking Area. Various lane closures throughout NFSR 333 are also to be expected. 

 

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect the public due road construction where no detour can be safely made to avoid and traverse around the road construction zone.

IMPLEMENTATION

  1. This Order shall be in effect from August 11, 2025 at 0700 through September 10, 2025 at 1800, unless rescinded.

  2. A map identifying the Described Area and Roads is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts

  3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions. 

  4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

  5. Contact the Sandia Ranger District in Tijeras, New Mexico, (505) 281-3304, and Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office in Albuquerque, New Mexico, (505) 346-3900, for more information about this Order. 

  6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in/on the same Described Area/Roads.

Contact Name:

Sandia Ranger District in Tijeras, New Mexico

Contact Number:

505-281-3304

Maps

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03-03-05-25-13 Sandia RD NFSR333 Closure Map
03-03-05-25-13 Sandia RD NFSR333 Closure Map

Last updated August 1st, 2025

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