Dona Ana Mountains  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  32.45, -106.79 Map Page Views:  31,142. Good page? (3 likes)    Administrators:  Aaron Hobson, Jason Halladay, Anthony Stout, LeeAB, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Aaron Hobson on Feb 26, 2006 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

The Checkerboard in all it's splendor.

Description 

The Dona Ana mountains offer ample climbing for any climber passing through Las Cruces. Although not as eye-catching as their magnificent neighbors , the Organs, they have been a favorite climbing area among locals for many years. From bouldering to long traditional routes, the climbing here is varied and spread out over a large area owned by the BLM and NMSU. The rock tends to be granitic, and similar to that found in the Organs. While the Dona Ana Mts lack the grandeur of the Organs, they have relatively short approaches and even some "drive-up" climbing, which gives them an advantage over most of the climbing in the Organs.

The main attraction is the Checkerboard wall, a beautiful 500ft cliff offering several moderate-easy lines. Other popular spots are the Bear Boulders and Pizza Boulders, which offer drive-up climbing in a secluded desert surrounding. NMSU recently acquired much of the land in the Dona Ana range and has closed some areas to climbing, including the Columns and the North boulder Field. Please respect these clusures and we may have a chance to negotiate access.

The Dona Ana Mts are bounded by the Jornada Experimental Range on the north/east, and Las Cruces on the south/west. It is harsh desert environment and should be treated as such (birng plenty of water and minimize your impact). Camping is permitted on BLM land, and there is a great network of biking trails.

Getting There 

The main access point is Jornada rd. To reach this rd take Hwy 70 east from las Cruces. Exit at Mesa Grande Rd and follow signs for the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park. This will take you to Bantaam Memorial Drive heading west for a few blocks. Turn right onto Jornada rd at a Shortys gas station. Jornada rd becomes a wide gravel rd within a few miles and will drive you by the east side of the mountain range. Several dirt rds lead to the various climbing areas.

Resources 

Rosul-Dunning Guide. This PDF guide has a good topo for the Checkerboard wall, as well as a map to the different climbing areas in the Dona Anas. Contact me (Aaron Hobson) if you would like a copy.

There is a guide to the some boulder problems that can be found at the NMSU climbing wall.

The Classics

Featured Route For Dona Ana Mountains

Knight's Move 5.8  NM : Las Cruces Area Climbing : ... : Checkerboard Wall

A beautiful corner system which ascends the North end of the Checkerboard wall. There are some sections of crumbly rock, especially near the top, but for the most part the rock is good, the pro is solid and the moves are exciting. A little bit of route-finding is required for the second pitch, which traverses to the right slightly as the crack system peters out....[more]   Browse More Classics in NM

Photos of Dona Ana Mountains Slideshow

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Another of the Checkerboard on the right.

Comments on Dona Ana Mountains

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Show which comments — All Comments (7) Just Beta and Conditions (7) Just Conversational and Off-Topic (0)

By Lowell From: El Paso, Texas USA Oct 11, 2009

Here's 2 free guidebook downloads by Charles Cundiff. Guidebook Download Link CLICK HERE

By Aaron Hobson Administrator From: Las Cruces, NM May 6, 2012

Pizzas should still be fine for access, although I think CDNP put up a gate making it harder to easily access them.

By Eugene Staley Sep 13, 2012

The guide book is now only available through purchase online. I'm not sure if that is intentional or not but it is relevant information to anyone who is trying to get the guidebook to the pizzas.

By Ian Harris From: Las Cruces NM Feb 24, 2013

Are these The Columns in the Dona Ana's? Submitted By: Ian Harris on Feb 24, 2013 Are these The Columns?

By abqdrew From: Albuquerque, NM Mar 27, 2013

The access road described in all of the guidebooks I found is now locked, this is the dirt road off Jornada that is just before the stone pillars - East West Road. Instead take the dirt road on the left at 3.1 miles past the school on Jornada, this will take you straight out to the checkerboard wall.

By Bill Lawry From: New Mexico Mar 29, 2013

Although not the highest quality, this Photo has current beta for getting to Checkerboard Wall.

By Robert Cort Apr 1, 2013

r.e. abqdrew: I think the access through the gate that you found locked is either for a) access to pizza boulders, b) the walk over to the top of the checkerboard (backside access), c), access to the columns, or d) all of the above. That gate has been locked for some time now. There are ways to get to those locations, but for access to checkerboard, your 3.1mi road or Bill L.'s photo is your best bet.