Clear Water Spring
Clear Water Spring emerges at 69°F on Kirtland Air Force Base in Bernalillo County, making it completely closed to public access. USGS records show 16°C with unusually high chloride at 492 mg/L and calcium at 279 mg/L. The heavily mineralized water also contains 60 µg/L iron. It lies at 5,860 feet elevation within a restricted military installation.
The spring sits on Department of Defense land east of Albuquerque, in terrain where the Sandia Mountains transition into the Manzanita range foothills. At this elevation, pinon-juniper woodland mixes with desert scrub across rolling hills cut by seasonal arroyos. The Tijeras Canyon corridor runs nearby, channeling drainage between the Sandia and Manzano mountain blocks. Annual precipitation averages 10.7 inches, with 15.4 inches of snow falling on the higher slopes during winter months.
Clear Water Spring is not accessible to the public. It sits within the restricted boundaries of Kirtland Air Force Base, and no visitor access is permitted. Nearby Cedro Peak Camping Sites in the Cibola National Forest, about 10 km away, offer reservable sites among ponderosa and pinon pines for those exploring the broader Sandia-Manzano area.
The spring's name belies its mineral-heavy water chemistry. Located within the boundaries of Kirtland Air Force Base, which was established in 1939 and expanded significantly during World War II, the spring's land has been under military control for over eight decades. Prior to military use, the area around Tijeras Canyon was part of Spanish land grant territory and ancestral Pueblo lands. The spring appears in the 1980 NOAA thermal springs catalog.
The water at Clear Water Spring contains 1990 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health), magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).
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Overview Cedro Peak Camping Sites is a favorite area in the southern portion of the Sandia Ranger District. It is encompassed by ponderosa pine, pinon and juniper trees. Both Cedro Peak camping sites are fully accessible and have plenty of parking. Jay site has a circular turn around drive for those who might bring a small travel trailer.Recreation Cedro Peak Camping Sites has room for outdoor games as well as access to the best trail system for mountain biking in the Cibola National Forest....
Clear Water Spring sits at 5,860 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 23% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Clear Water Spring is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear.
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