Muralla Grande  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  35.2152, -106.455 Map Page Views:  46,216. Good page?    Administrators:  Aaron Hobson, Jason Halladay, Anthony Stout, LeeAB, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Anthony Stout on Jan 22, 2006 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Photo of Muralla Grande from the Sentinal.

Description 

This massive cliff face, easily seen from the city of Albuquerque, stands just beneath the communcations towers in upper Chimney Canyon. The rock wall boasts many long, quality routes.

Getting There 

At the North End of the crest parking lot, locate a prominent trail that skirts just around the fence. Follow it, as it slowly winds you down toward the limestone band near the top of the crest. This prominent trail continues along the limestone band for about 10 minutes or so, than you will come upon an intersection. Go left, heading towards hilltop of aspen, this is the summit of Muralla Grande.

As you are hiking on a nice trail you will come upon a trail junction in the aspen grove, there is a junction of two trails. The straight ahead or barely angling left (South/SE) branch goes down the correct approach gully (this appears less well traveled initially). The right branch (West/SW) goes to Muralla Grande summit (can take this one if you wish to leave anything at the summit where all the climbs end). DO NOT: Take the right branch (toward the summit), and ALSO forget to backtrack to the junction, or you WILL end up going down the looser gnarlier bushier gully instead.

Continue on the trail down the steep, rocky, chimney canyon (south, then west, or just DOWN), and you will see The Chimney to your left, and the rising face of Muralla Grande on your right. The Second Coming is directly on the South Face (and is in the sun for a good part of the day in fall and winter). Other climbs are on the main southwest face (continue down and around the formation).

The Classics

Featured Route For Muralla Grande

The Second Coming 5.8  NM : Sandia Mountains : ... : Muralla Grande

Four pitches, the final of which is the makes this one such a beauty. However, the star rating of the route really depends on which way you decide to go on the headwall at the top. There are four choices for the final pitch (5.10d, 5.10a, 5.9, and 5.8).Getting There: Follow directions to Muralla Grande. Soon after you get to the bottom of the couloir of death talus and rocks, begin looking to your right. You will eventually come upon an alcove beneath a large headwall (the headwall is high up on...[more]   Browse More Classics in NM

Photos of Muralla Grande Slideshow

Add Photo

Beginning of the third pitch... watching the weath...