New Mexico

Snow or no snow? South ~ 4hrs towards the Gila visitor center (a trip all ashalpt I-25 south to NM 152 -> 35) is currently only lingering north slope snow.

I'd prefer no snow.

I'd say the Magdelenas or better yet the Gila with a rental car. The nearest option would be driving ~ 90 minutes or so into Water Canyon southwest of Socorro NM on 60 (a bit of a gravel road but wasn't too bad), and doing a loop in the Magdelena mountains. The Gila is a longer drive but more hiking options including shorter hiking trails, maybe staying in Truth or Consequences (a town with numerous hotels) Friday night, maybe Hillsboro (B&B's) or find a little roadside camp right out of Kingston on 152 (real windy road and open range for cattle). Drive early Sat AM to the visitor center via 35 and 15 for a quick weather update Do a small loop from nearby TJ Corral to Little Bear confluence with the Middle Fk in 4 miles or what should be less crowded, Woody's Corral to Little Creek in about 4 mi and back (or do a loop around the cliff dwellings using EE canyon 4 mile and the West Fk. with a few miles incl a road walk back to Woody's (all well signed as of my trip 3 wks ago). Get a hot spring bath near Doc Campbell's and drive back to ABQ Monday afternoon. North of Albuquerque will likely be melting snow. There is Bandelier northwest of Santa Fe but I'm not sure if the area recovered from its fire 4 years ago (last yr they said it was still a burnt moonscape).

Check weather and snow conditions. Here was my solution for a similar trip, but in summer.

Usually an overlooked range, but the San Mateos offer enough for a 2 night trip within a short drive of the ABQ metro area. We have had a large melt off with the recent warm temps and the San Mateos usually clear before the Sandias shed snowpack.

There is some excellent ridgeline walking in the Mateos and plenty of solitude.

Also check out the Jemez Mountains and Bandalier.

The Orilla Verde Recreation Area near Taos is another option. It will absolutely be snow free and potentially warm, but the views down in the gorge are amazing. I'm not very familiar with all the trails, but there are several that wind their way down to the river to several riverside camp areas.

The Gila was mentioned, but the drive can be long- not sure how much time you want to take getting to th trailhead. You can drive south and access the Gila through Reserve, NM on the NW side of the wilderness area. Beautiful remote country and conditions in spring are usually exceptional.

@hknewman.

I looked on the forest service website for trails in Gilla but could not find the TJ Corral, Little Bear, Middle Fork, Woody's Corral or EE Canyon. I did find West Fork.

TJ and Woody's Corral are the trailheads (equestrian-equipped) between the Gila Cliff Dwellings Visitor Center and the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument (almost 1 mile). Little Bear leads north of TJ Corral and Little Creek leads south from Woody's. Well marked and signed.

Thanks y'all for the great info. I'll be heading to Gila.