Cactus Heaven  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  2,459. Good page?    Administrators:  Aaron Hobson, Jason Halladay, Anthony Stout, LeeAB, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Rstrang on Mar 4, 2013 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 79° | 52° 82° | 52° 79° | 50° 77° | 48° 77° | 48°

BETA PHOTO: Cactus Heaven and Approaches

Description 

A high concentration of sandstone boulders very close to Santa Fe. The area is about 5 miles north of Eldorado and in the Eldorado Community Open Space. As yet pretty much unexplored and un-tapped, I've seen descriptions of this area as a mini Joe's Valley but I wouldn't say that untill its fully explored. In winter when in the sun it can be 30 degrees and you can climb in a T-shirt. Climb the same problems in summer in the afternoon shade and it still isn't too hot. A great place to have some fun year round without spending too much time driving or walking.

Getting There 

From the Eldorado exit (exit 290 on I-25) take the frontage road (Old Las Vegas Hwy) north for a couple miles. Go right on to Ojo de la Vaca, that road goes under I-25 at the bottom of the hill. Follw this several miles and cross over the RR tracks. Go about 1 mile past the tracks, uphill to a dirt parking area on the right. The parking is just after the road turns to dirt.

Area Approaches 

Approach 1 (to easy warm-ups)
From the gate at the parking head south a couple hundred feet to the 401 trail junction on the right. Continue another 100 feet south from here and turn right into the woods at a small carin. follow the faint carined trail southwest and up the hill towrds rocks and cliffs. Reach the Double 45s after about 1/4 mile. From the Double 45s follw carins west uphill and south towards the main cliff band and reach The Solarium after about another 1/4 mile.
Approach 2 (original approach to The Playground)
Turn right (west) onto trail 401 several 100 feet from the parking. Follow this trail up the switchbacks and take the left branch heading south. After about 1/4 mile look for small carins making the hard to see trail on the left. Follow the carins which are more like "tombstone" markers to the cliff edge. Scramble down the cliff band via some 3rd class. The Playground area is here, head left (north) several hundred feet to get to The Solarium warmups

Access & Use 

Technicaly to use this area you are suppose to be with an Eldorado resident. However, residents have told me that the community really doesn't care if other people use the open space as long as they are respectful, not dumping trash and liter, shooting firearms,etc. Also there are some petroglyphs at the very southern end of the main cliff band. Probably best not to climb anywhere near that area. In the past there was someone who was bouldering right on top of these petroglyphs (STUPID!) and that started getting some people up in arms. Let's respect the area and hopefully it won't get shut down. It's quite nice to have some enjoyable problems close to Santa Fe and the place is awesome in the middle of winter.

The Classics

Featured Route For Cactus Heaven

Pack Rat Roof V3  NM : Santa Fe Area : ... : The Solarium

Sit start on the Rack Rat Rock. Layback up to the rail then traverse right. Reach for a 2 finger pocket then straight up...[more]   Browse More Classics in NM

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By Tadz Kostrubala Mar 29, 2013

Very nice guide and photos to Cactus Haven, Kudos to RStrang & Co. Good to have some strong boulders put up the descriptions. Mixed feelings on seeing the guide on MP but that is just human nature (e.g. no longer somewhat obscure). Couple things to add... Is it possible to post up a brief on access concerns and history? I was introduced to Cactus Haven in 2004 and i think there was some posts back on rockclimbing.com but wondered when this place was first bouldered... Could have been a while ago. Also, I was told that access was restricted to eldorado residents and their guests. I am not a resident but, always had the address of my eldorado buddy memorized in case I was asked. You know just as a backup, for what it was worth! Cactus Haven bouldering in 2006. No question my favorite problem there. Memory is too bad to remember my friends name here. Submitted By: Tadz Kostrubala on Mar 29, 2013