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).
(Comments from George Perkins added to above, thanks George!)
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Muralla Grande:
P1: (5.7) Face climb on easier terrain, passing a tree on its left. The pitch ends at a 2-bolt anchor. P2: (5.8) Continue up from the anchor on lower angle face and discontinuous cracks, alongside a stunning right facing dihedral. A pin and bolt supplement the discontinuous cracks system. The pitch ends under a small triangular roof at another 2-bolt anchor. (P1 and P2 can be combined with a 60m rope)P3: (5.9+) Climb up to the roof passing it on ...[more]Browse More Classics in NM
By George Perkins Administrator From: Los Alamos, NM Sep 10, 2007
More than one friend of mine has had trouble finding the correct approach gully. It is really not that bad or confusing compared to others in the Sandias. Here is the deal:
When you get to the aspen grove you are heading south on a good trail. 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. 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.
PS In the above photo, that is the evil gully. the kind gully is to the right (toward the radio towers)
By Anthony Stout Administrator From: Albuquerque, NM Sep 11, 2007
Thanks George for that clarification. I added your comments to the "getting there" section above. Please let me know if you have any more comments!
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