The Citadel  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  32.3717, -106.587 Map Page Views:  6,510. Good page?    Administrators:  Aaron Hobson, Jason Halladay, Anthony Stout, LeeAB, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Aaron Hobson on May 8, 2006 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 91° | 64° 93° | 64° 93° | 68° 91° | 64° 91° | 66°

The Rabbit Ear's[edited 5-30-06] as viewed from to...

Description 

The Citadel is one of the Organ's better known climbing spots. It is home to several well established routes, and a wonderful secluded setting. Dennis Jackson's guide only highlights the best climbs on this formation and there is still lots of room for exploration.

The formation has a predominately NW aspect, but parts of it face NE or more directly to the west. When the sun is high in the sky, it may ten to shine directly down the face, but there will usually be shady and sunny faces to be found here.

Getting There 

From the Topp Hut continue along the 4x4 rd until it forks. Take the left fork which ends abruptly at an old mine. The trail into Rabbit Ears Canyon starts behind the tailings from this mine and is easy to find and follow up to the base of Rabbit Ear Canyon. At the base of Rabbit Ear Canyon, the Lambda Wall is directly to your left and the Citadel is straight ahead. Follow up the canyon over more difficult terrain. There is a fork in the canyon a short ways up. Following the right fork/bushwhacking takes you to the Finger Zinger area, and the western face of the Citadel. For the NE face, continue up the canyon and up onto a boulder field with excellent views of the Rabbit Ear Massif. From here, bushwhack up to the cliff directly. The approach trails are mostly non-existent, but some faint tracks can be found. the best thing to do is to locate your climbs from the canyon, and then determine the best approach.

The Classics

Featured Route For The Citadel

Wish You Were Here 5.8+  NM : Organ Mountains : The Citadel

A beautiful dihedral just to the right of Glad We Came. There are a few variations on this climb. All of them start on easy terrain and head straight up into the dihedral. Mid-way through the dihedral is a good stance/ledge. An excellent single pitch climb continues up the dihedral (thin fingers and bomber stemming) to its logical end, and then makes an exposed but well protected traverse to the anchors of Glad We Came.Another variation climbs to the right from the stance/ledge and then up to ...[more]   Browse More Classics in NM

Photos of The Citadel Slideshow

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BETA PHOTO: Citadel East Face	BETA PHOTO: Citadel North Face	BETA PHOTO: Citadel West Face
BETA PHOTO: A view of the East Face of the Citadel