Potrillo Cliffs

Russel Peterson, Mike Roybal, Kathy Kocon and Stev...

Description 

Potrillo cliffs is the primo beginner toproping/trad area in White Rock, and was the first major basalt cliff "discovered" for climbing in White Rock. The cliff has two faces: one facing south, and one facing west, so you can find sun or shade as you like.

It's a great place for the beginning trad leader, as the cliff is short, hosts many 5.6-5.9 routes, and the pro is great. The cliff is a little shorter than most at White Rock (45'), but for the more experienced there are a number of compelling 5.10 climbs and a few harder ones.

Bolts were once installed here to provide anchors and prevent damage to the trees, but these were chopped by unknown persons; but new bolts may again be installed for safety and ecological reasons (but it is expected that any new bolts could be anonymously chopped again for "ethical" reasons); so people might again put in more bolted anchors (which in turn might be removed); and perhaps the entire cliff-top will ultimately be riddled with 1/2" holes with metal studs and no trees?

So, go prepared to build anchors by tying off the trees or with trad gear (which is recommended).

A detailed guide is found here, with photos showing the routes.
http://www.lamountaineers.org/pdf/Potrillo_Cliffs.pdf
The route numbers on this page coincide with those in that online guide.

Getting There 

Take NM state road 4 just south of White Rock, turn onto Monterey South. Stay on Monterey South, to Potrillo Rd, where you take a right. Take this until you can turn right on Estante Rd. Follow Estante around a left turn to a pullout just past a fire hydrant on the right side. Park here and don't block the hydrant or the mailboxes. Walk the trail south 100yds, where it forks, take the trail heading right. Follow this to a "Government Property" sign, and head left on a faint trail or cross-country to the cliff top. To get to the base, scramble down the east side of the cliffs. Should take about 10 minutes.

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