• Log In
    • ASK ABQ – Submit a Question
    • Submit a Photo
    • Submit a Story
    • Community Photos
    • About Us
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Trending
    • PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony
    • 4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Neighborhood Journal Neighborhood Journal
    Login
    • Northeast
      1. 87109
      2. 87111
      3. 87113
      4. 87122
      5. View All

      PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony

      February 3, 2023

      4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale

      January 31, 2023

      This immaculate Rio Rancho home qualifies for 3.25% VA loan!

      January 31, 2023

      Check out this Multi Family Property in the heart of Rio Rancho

      January 31, 2023

      PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony

      February 3, 2023

      4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale

      January 31, 2023

      This immaculate Rio Rancho home qualifies for 3.25% VA loan!

      January 31, 2023

      Check out this Multi Family Property in the heart of Rio Rancho

      January 31, 2023

      PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony

      February 3, 2023

      4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale

      January 31, 2023

      This immaculate Rio Rancho home qualifies for 3.25% VA loan!

      January 31, 2023

      Check out this Multi Family Property in the heart of Rio Rancho

      January 31, 2023

      PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony

      February 3, 2023

      4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale

      January 31, 2023

      This immaculate Rio Rancho home qualifies for 3.25% VA loan!

      January 31, 2023

      Check out this Multi Family Property in the heart of Rio Rancho

      January 31, 2023

      Important spring semester dates at Albuquerque Public Schools

      January 9, 2023

      Ice Wolves win one, lose one to Lone Star Brahmas

      January 9, 2023

      Matheson Park Elementary School GreatSchools rating, student enrollment and reviews

      January 9, 2023

      Photos and video of the La Cueva vs. Eldorado metro tournament basketball game

      January 6, 2023
    • Northwest
      1. 87114
      2. 87120
      3. View All

      PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony

      February 3, 2023

      4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale

      January 31, 2023

      This immaculate Rio Rancho home qualifies for 3.25% VA loan!

      January 31, 2023

      Check out this Multi Family Property in the heart of Rio Rancho

      January 31, 2023

      PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony

      February 3, 2023

      4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale

      January 31, 2023

      This immaculate Rio Rancho home qualifies for 3.25% VA loan!

      January 31, 2023

      Check out this Multi Family Property in the heart of Rio Rancho

      January 31, 2023

      4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale

      January 31, 2023

      Beautiful Ranch Style Home just listed in Western Meadow Subdivision!

      January 30, 2023

      APD investigating crash involving wrong way driver on Unser

      January 30, 2023

      Everybody knows your name at Whiptail

      January 17, 2023
    • Galleries
      1. Northwest Galleries
      2. Northeast Galleries
      3. View All

      PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony

      February 3, 2023

      4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale

      January 31, 2023

      This immaculate Rio Rancho home qualifies for 3.25% VA loan!

      January 31, 2023

      Check out this Multi Family Property in the heart of Rio Rancho

      January 31, 2023

      PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony

      February 3, 2023

      4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale

      January 31, 2023

      This immaculate Rio Rancho home qualifies for 3.25% VA loan!

      January 31, 2023

      Check out this Multi Family Property in the heart of Rio Rancho

      January 31, 2023

      PHOTOS: Sandia Mountains provide hiking, views and peace of mind for outdoor enthusiasts

      January 4, 2023

      Wonderful things happened in 2022 at middle and elementary schools in NE ABQ

      December 28, 2022

      Albuquerque caught on camera: A 2022 photo review of the year’s top stories east of the Rio Grande

      December 28, 2022

      The best of 2022 at Albuquerque Academy: A year in review

      December 27, 2022
    • Real Estate
    • Submit a Photo
    • Newsletter
    Neighborhood Journal Neighborhood Journal
    Home » Discover the magic of history with the Sandia Medallion Trees
    Hidden Gems 87111

    Discover the magic of history with the Sandia Medallion Trees

    Rachel DriskellBy Rachel DriskellDecember 28, 2022Updated:December 23, 2022No Comments2 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Have you encountered a medallion tree? If not, plan to embark on an engaging journey through history. The adventure starts east of Albuquerque in the Sandia Mountains. 

    What is a medallion tree?

    Each tree is marked with a small, silver medallion mounted chest high from the ground. These medallions are engraved with:

    • A year
    • Name of an event
    • A number 

    For example, an engraving could read “French Indian War ~ 1757.” The year is said to coincide with the tree’s germination date (engraved GD). Documented medallion dates range from 1371-1959.

    There are several medallion trees to discover in the region (up to 84). While the creator (or creators) have yet to become public, this work represents the magical discovery of history in unsuspecting places. 

    Don’t forget! History is by no means boring. Some medallions may have you second-guessing your discovery, as gory details are randomly engraved along with traditional events.

    How did they get there?

    It would seem the creator (or creators) behind this artwork painstakingly made multiple journeys to select each tree, age them by discovering the germination date, create the medallion, and then return to tag each one. 

    The age of each medallion is unknown and yet some appear significantly more weathered than others. However, replacements of weathered medallions have been excitedly noted by fans, like medallion #85. Wherever they may be, the creator’s good deeds do not go unnoticed. 

    Where you can find them

    Visitors suggest a discovery hike along or near the Faulty Trail on the east side of the Sandias. Other visitors highly recommend the use of local publications with information on each location. The Faulty Trail featured in Hikes 2 and 14 in the 3rd Edition of 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Albuquerque is a common reference. 

    Regardless if the discovery is a surprise or intentional, hikers from near and far enjoy the activity of viewing as many medallions as possible. Documenting the process is half the fun! Guests share online versions of photo journals while others divulge all the secret details of where to go and when. Check out this Facebook group for more information on planning your own trip. 

    Remember, history is fun!

    What does a medallion on a medallion tree look like?

    Medallion Trees restored medallion

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Rachel Driskell

    Get Local News Delivered to Your Inbox

    Related Posts

    PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony

    February 3, 2023

    Everybody knows your name at Whiptail

    January 17, 2023

    APD arrests 2022 legislative candidate for recent shootings at homes of elected officials

    January 17, 2023
    Add A Comment

    Comments are closed.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Follow us for more
    • Looking for the perfect New Mexican side dish for your holiday meal? Try the simple calabacitas recipe found on the website in our bio. Or you can copy the link below:
 https://buff.ly/3PUIj3t 
#NewMexicanCuisine #sidedish #simplerecipes #holidaytreat
    • It was a shock earlier this month when La Cueva ended Volcano Vista girls basketball undefeated streak. Tuesday night, the Hawks go revenge on the Bears, and we were there to get photo and video. View the Galleries page on the website in our bio or copy the link below:
https://buff.ly/3BRrhNJ 
#VolcanoVista #LaCueva #Albuquerque #basketball #NewMexicoAthletics
    • A former Lobo is guiding the next generation of Albuquerque athletes with what he calls the "Miami attitude." See the story by visiting the website in our bio or copying the link below
https://buff.ly/3Vh5NRy 
@UNM @UNMLOBOS @UNMLoboFB @frontline_elite_training #MiamiAttitude #Albuquerque
    • Vandalizing Grinches couldn't keep this NW ABQ neighborhood down. Instead, it ended up bringing neighbors together. See the story by visiting the website in our bio or copying the link below
https://buff.ly/3WAHNtF 
#NWABQ #Albuquerque #comingtogether #neighborhoodspirit #ChristmasSpirit #HolidayLights #VentanaRanch @VentanaRanch
    • Enjoy the cross-country skiing trails in the Sandias? There's a group that you can thank for maintaining them. Read all about it by visiting the link in our bio.
#SandiaPeak #Albuquerque #wintersports #thegreatoutdoors #skiingseason
    • Have you seen Santa yet? If not, there's still time. See where and when you can visit him this week in Albuquerque by visiting the link in our bio
#Albuquerque #SantaClaus #Christmas

    Follow Us!

    Tweets by NeighborhoodJo2
    About Us
    About Us

    The Neighborhood Journal aims to help residents be well informed about their neighborhood and feel more connected to their neighbors and community.

    Email Us: info@neighborhoodjournal.com
    Contact: +1-505-823-7200

    7777 Jefferson St. NE, Albuquerque

    PRIVACY POLICY

    Editor's Picks

    PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony

    February 3, 2023

    4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale

    January 31, 2023

    This immaculate Rio Rancho home qualifies for 3.25% VA loan!

    January 31, 2023
    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Submit a Photo
    • Submit a Story
    © 2023 Neighborhood Journal. Website by Half Pixel.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Sign In or Register

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below.

    Continue with Facebook
    Continue with Google
    Lost password?