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Elevation: 9,349 ft 2,850 m
GPS: 35.2063, -106.452
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 213,647 total · 930/month
Shared By: Anthony Stout on Jan 22, 2006
Admins: Jason Halladay, Mike Hoskins, Anna Brown

Description Suggest change

The La Luz trail, running from the foothills of the Sandias to the Sandia Crest, runs directly through this canyon. There is a high concentration of stellar routes on the rock within Upper LaCueva Canyon. Also, in comparison to many other routes within the Sandias, the approaches can be shorter and easier.

Getting There Suggest change

Though the routes within this canyon can be accessed from the lower part of the canyon (Juan Tabo Picnic Area in the foothills of Albuquerque), it is much easier to access them from the Sandia Crest. The La Luz trail begins on the South end of the Sandia Crest parking lot.

112 Total Climbs

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Location: La Cueva Canyon, Upper Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at La Cueva Canyon, Upper

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 110
Northwest Ridge
Trad 6 pitches
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c
 55
Beat Around the Bush
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 148
Estrellita
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 90
Miss Piggy
Trad 2 pitches
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 74
Aviary Ort Overhangs
Trad 3 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 63
Estrellada (a.k.a. Mountain Momma)
Trad 6 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 13
Dr Jeckle
Trad 2 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c PG13
 9
Sorcerer's Apprentice
Trad 2 pitches
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 17
Good Clean Fun
Sport 2 pitches
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 12
Another Pair of New Shoes
Trad
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 7
Global Warming
Trad
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 5
Storm Warning
Trad 2 pitches
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 10
Voodoo Child
Trad 6 pitches
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 9
Wizard of Air
Trad 7 pitches
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b PG13
 5
The Sorcerer
Trad 4 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Northwest Ridge Thumb
 110
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad 6 pitches
Beat Around the Bush Estrellita
 55
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c Trad
Estrellita Estrellita
 148
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
Miss Piggy Hole in the Wall
 90
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 2 pitches
Aviary Ort Overhangs Thumb
 74
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad 3 pitches
Estrellada (a.k.a. Mountain… Torreon
 63
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad 6 pitches
Dr Jeckle Hole in the Wall
 13
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad 2 pitches
Sorcerer's Apprentice Torreon
 9
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c PG13 Trad 2 pitches
Good Clean Fun Windward Wall
 17
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Sport 2 pitches
Another Pair of New Shoes Hole in the Wall
 12
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad
Global Warming Slot
 7
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad
Storm Warning Windward Wall
 5
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Trad 2 pitches
Voodoo Child Torreon
 10
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Trad 6 pitches
Wizard of Air Torreon
 9
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Trad 7 pitches
The Sorcerer Torreon
 5
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b PG13 Trad 4 pitches
More Classic Climbs in La Cueva Canyon, Upper »

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