Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 10,650 ft
GPS: 35.2106, -106.44996
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 778,386 total · 3,521/month
Shared By: Anthony Stout on Jan 20, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Jason Halladay, Mike Hoskins, Anna Brown

Description Suggest change

Because of the approaches to the climbing areas here, you will typically find solitude while climbing in the Sandias. Due to high elevation and nature of these mountains, conditions can vary. While one can climb at any time of the year, the best time seems to be between May through October. West and Southwest facing walls, such as Muralla Grande, can be warm and dry even on winter days. Watch for thunderstorms during the summer months.

Getting There Suggest change

The majority of the climbs are accessed from the Sandia Crest, though some are approached from the foothills of Albuquerque (these directions will be give in the appropriate sections):

- Starting from Albuquerque, take I-40 east through Tijeras Canyon, exiting on the Tijeras exit (exit 175).
- North on highway 14 for 6.8 miles
- Turn left on NM 536 (follow signs to Sandia Mountain Ski area), and follow this road for about 14 miles, past the ski area, and finally to the Sandia Crest.

Getting to the different climbing areas:

Approach times and difficulties vary depending on where you are going. Directions will be given in the appropriate sections.

WARNING: Approaches can be DIFFICULT, as in both strenuous and difficult to find. It's not difficult to get lost in this area. Should anyone following directions posted on Mountain Project end up lost, feedback on the directions in order to make them more accurate is appreciated.

Resources:

Suggest change
- Sandia Rock by Mick Schein (2013, Sharp End Publishing)
- Rock Climbing New Mexico by Dennis R. Jackson (2006, Falcon Press)
- Hikers and Climbers Guide to the Sandias by Mike Hill (1993, Coyote Books)

316 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Sandia Mountains Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Sandia Mountains

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
Easy 5th 1+ 3 I 5 M 1c
 120
Knife Edge
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 140
Estrellita
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 152
The Second Coming
Trad 4 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c PG13
 39
Southwest Ridge
Trad, Alpine 10 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 66
Aviary Ort Overhangs
Trad 3 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R
 60
Warpy Moople
Trad 7 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 58
Estrellada (a.k.a. Mountain Momma)
Trad 6 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 64
Great Escape
Trad
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 29
Rage Against the Dying Fire
Trad 9 pitches
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 30
Rawhide
Trad 2 pitches
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 38
Skinwalker
Trad
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 32
Little Yellow Jacket
Trad 5 pitches
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a PG13
 39
License and a Visa
Sport, Alpine 4 pitches
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 20
Autumn Ivy
Trad
5.13- 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E7 6c
 16
Cat Daddy
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Knife Edge Juan Tabo Canyon > Shield
 120
Easy 5th 1+ 3 I 5 M 1c Trad
Estrellita La Cueva Canyon… > Estrellita
 140
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
The Second Coming Chimney Canyon > Muralla Grande
 152
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 4 pitches
Southwest Ridge Juan Tabo Canyon > Needle
 39
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c PG13 Trad, Alpine 10 pitches
Aviary Ort Overhangs La Cueva Canyon… > Thumb
 66
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 3 pitches
Warpy Moople Chimney Canyon > Muralla Grande
 60
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R Trad 7 pitches
Estrellada (a.k.a. Mountain… La Cueva Canyon… > Torreon
 58
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad 6 pitches
Great Escape Echo Canyon > Yucca Flower Tower
 64
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad
Rage Against the Dying Fire Juan Tabo Canyon > Shield
 29
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad 9 pitches
Rawhide Echo Canyon > Yucca Flower Tower
 30
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad 2 pitches
Skinwalker Chimney Canyon > Clandestine Wall
 38
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad
Little Yellow Jacket Chimney Canyon > Muralla Grande
 32
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad 5 pitches
License and a Visa Pino Wall & Jaw… > Pino Wall
 39
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a PG13 Sport, Alpine 4 pitches
Autumn Ivy Chimney Canyon > Clandestine Wall
 20
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Trad
Cat Daddy Chimney Canyon > Clandestine Wall
 16
5.13- 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E7 6c Trad
More Classic Climbs in Sandia Mountains »

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading