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Building with lots of stairs for training?

We are hiking down the south rim of the Grand Canyon in April, and want to get in some training, especially for the workout our knees will get on the descent and ascent. We live in the general UNM/Nob Hill area, and would like to find a tall building with accessible stairs we could visit for training. Any suggestions? Maybe something in the Uptown area? Thanks!

Tags: exercise, fitness, stairs, training

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Permalink Reply by mombat on December 15, 2011 at 12:27pm

The Plaza del sol Building at 2nd and Lomas has 8 floors, City Hall has 11. You are not far from either.

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Permalink Reply by nancy on December 17, 2011 at 8:41am

Might be worth a try if we can find free parking, thanks.

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Permalink Reply by mombat on December 19, 2011 at 11:10am

free parking out front or on first street

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Permalink Reply by Phil_0 on December 19, 2011 at 12:05pm

Of course, from Nob HIll to 2nd and Lomas is also an easy bus ride...

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Permalink Reply by mombat on December 20, 2011 at 8:50am

Yes, good call

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Permalink Reply by Andrea Lin on December 30, 2011 at 3:39pm

She said "uptown", not downtown. Ask at the Marriott near uptown to see if you can get in their stair well.

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Permalink Reply by nancy on December 31, 2011 at 5:39pm

Thanks, Andrea, I'll ask them. I was also wondering about the "Darth Vader" building in Uptown. Both seem pretty tall, and all we need is access to the stairs.

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Permalink Reply by RunLikeADog on December 15, 2011 at 1:32pm

UNM stadium is usually open from 7am to about 4pm. All of the high, concrete stairs you can handle. Enter through the southwest maintenance gate. I used them for my Grand Canyon hike a few years ago.

FWIW, the La Luz trail is just about the same grade, distance and profile as the Bright Angel trail in the GC.

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Permalink Reply by nancy on December 17, 2011 at 8:41am

UNM stadium is a great idea, thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Granjero on December 17, 2011 at 12:55pm

Try the La Luz trail. Its a good hike, and you get the weather..

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Permalink Reply by shotsie on December 31, 2011 at 9:36am

I agree - the trail is a bunch of long trails connected with switchbacks - not stair steps - it's not a staircase. Just climbing up/down local mountain trails is plenty for this trip. My friends and I did this trip when we were 18 - no special training (but it was damn cold on the top when we finally emerged - it'll be cold in April, btw).

You might want to even backpack in some sleeping bags and a light weight tent and enjoy the spectacular scenery down there - why knock yourselves out?

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Permalink Reply by Donald E. George on January 1, 2012 at 10:46am

I grew up on the east mesa when nothing was paved beyond Morningside. Spent lots of time as a kid enjoying the west Sandia foothills. I have been up the La Luz several times and climbed up the west face to the TWA plane crash sight. Looked for but never found the sight of a WWII B-24 crash sight. Worked for the Forest Service in the summer of 62 out of the Tijeras Ranger Station. We spent most of the summer crearing brush out of the camp grounds. Love the Aspen Glade sight.You have to like the Sandias. I especially like the crest when the clouds are low and the trees are covered with frost. I have a place picked out for my ashes. A great treasure for Albuquerque. Wishing the Land of Enchantment a happy 2012 from Nebraska where many residents are giddy over the income from corn and soy beans this harvest thanks to foreign markets and the ethanol industry.Regards