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Elevation: 4,668 ft 1,423 m
GPS: 32.2239, -106.5979
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 106,421 total · 465/month
Shared By: Aaron Hobson on Feb 28, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Jason Halladay, Mike Hoskins, Anna Brown
Warning Access Issue: Power drilling is prohibited in the Organ Mountains Wilderness. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

In the shadow of Hueco Tanks lies this lesser known and lesser quality area. Pena Blanca is a sprawling rock playground on the southern foot of the Organ mountains. There are scores of established boulder problems and potential for more. Much of the rock is of poor quality which keeps the area relatively free from the crowds seen at Hueco.

A few climbing resources exist but nothing has been published. Visit huecotanks.com/BCDetail.htm for more descriptions of the area. Also check out another developing e-guide at vcrux.com/penablanca.aspx (see comment by Lowell below).

There are a handful of short sport and trad routes, as well as top-rope problems that merit a visit. But what Pena Blanca has most of is bouldering, and it is through bouldering that this area will get known.

The area is currently designated as Wilderness Study Area by the BLM which restricts off-roading activities. Petroglyphs are found here and if you find some refrain from climbing near them.

Getting There Suggest change

When driving between Las Cruces and El Paso on I-10, Pena Blanca is clearly visible to the east. Take the Mesquite exit and head east. The paved road takes you by a landfill and liquid waste site, then turns to a dirt road. When you are approximately due southwest of the rocks there are roads that lead to the different climbing spots, though they have been blocked (as of 2020) to vehicular traffic. Now, the closest walking option for most/all areas is probably the cul-du-sac lot about a mile past the old access road (32.218980, -106.596241).

Resources

Suggest change
There is a collection of rough maps with names/difficulties of routes and problems at Pena Blanca. Contact Aaron Hobson (or see the above link and browse)to get them sent to you. They are by no means complete, and only give the user an idea of the large amount of climbing that occurs here.

88 Total Climbs

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Location: Pena Blanca Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Pena Blanca

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V0 4 PG13
 18
High Tales Protest
Boulder
V1 5
 13
Yashapoopee's
Boulder
V1 5
 8
Fire Wall
Boulder
V2 5+
 21
White Lightning
Boulder
V2 5+
 9
Grandpa Smith
Boulder
V2 5+
 8
Spit Fire
Boulder
V3 6A
 11
The Shield
Boulder
V3 6A
 13
Rave
Boulder
V5 6C
 6
Fire Pit
Boulder
V7 7A+
 5
Washburn Effect
Boulder
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 20
Speak in English
TR
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 4
Hole in the Wall
Sport
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 5
Steel Dihedral
TR
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 8
El Diablo
TR
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 5
Zig-zag Crack
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
High Tales Protest S Central > Smith Family Bo… > Grandpa Smith Boulder
 18
V0 4 PG13 Boulder
Yashapoopee's S Central > Smith Family Bo… > Grandpa Smith Boulder
 13
V1 5 Boulder
Fire Wall Volcano > Fire Pit
 8
V1 5 Boulder
White Lightning Volcano > Rave
 21
V2 5+ Boulder
Grandpa Smith S Central > Smith Family Bo… > Grandpa Smith Boulder
 9
V2 5+ Boulder
Spit Fire Volcano > Fire Pit
 8
V2 5+ Boulder
The Shield S Central > Spore
 11
V3 6A Boulder
Rave Volcano > Rave
 13
V3 6A Boulder
Fire Pit Volcano > Fire Pit
 6
V5 6C Boulder
Washburn Effect S Central > Spore
 5
V7 7A+ Boulder
Speak in English Garden > El Diablo Spire
 20
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a TR
Hole in the Wall Garden > Garden Spire
 4
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Steel Dihedral Garden > Hybrid Wall
 5
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b TR
El Diablo Garden > El Diablo Spire
 8
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c TR
Zig-zag Crack Garden > Garden Spire
 5
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Trad
More Classic Climbs in Pena Blanca »

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