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| Elevation: | 6,800 ft |
| GPS: | 36.342, -105.739 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
| Page Views: | 53,138 total · 307/month |
| Shared By: | Mike Howard on Dec 15, 2006 |
| Admins: | Mike Howard, Jason Halladay, Anthony Stout, LeeAB Brinckerhoff, Marta Reece, Drew Chojnowski |
Access Issue: Access Issue for Areas in BLM Taos Field Office Lands
Details
Per the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Taos Field Office's (blm.gov/office/taos-field-o…) 2012 Taos Resource Management Plan (RMP) (bit.ly/2Kab3HO), "Installation of new rock climbing routes or hardware will require pre-approval by the BLM." The RMP is the document that guides all the BLM management in a given field office. Climbers are asked to respect this guidance and not install new bolts or fixed hardware on Taos Field Office BLM land without pre-approval from the BLM. NM CRAG (nmcrag.org/) is currently working with the BLM Taos Field Office to establish specific guidance for new route development in the district and they hope to have a formal process in the near future.
Access Issue: COVID-19 New Mexico Requirements - Updated Nov. 16, 2020
Details
Effective November 16th, 2020, please do not travel into New Mexico to climb.
On November 16, 2020, the New Mexico state governor updated the executive order (cv.nmhealth.org/wp-content/…) requiring all visitors from out of state to self-isolate or self-quarantine for a period of at least 14 days from the date of their entry into the State of New Mexico or for the duration of their presence in the State, whichever is shorter. The terms "self-isolate" or "self-quarantine" refer the voluntary physical separation of a person or group of people in a residence or other place of lodging. Any person who is self-isolating or self-quarantining may only leave a residence or place of lodging to receive medical care and should not allow others into the residence or place of lodging except for those providing medical care, emergency response, or other individuals designated by the New Mexico Department of Health.
The executive order also closes all New Mexico State Parks to non-NM residents.
This Executive Order shall take effect on November 16, 2020 and shall remain in effect through the duration of the public health emergency declared in Executive Order 2020-004 and any extensions of that emergency declaration or until it is rescinded.
Additionally, NM state guidance requires all persons to wear a mask anytime they are out in public, including outdoor recreation areas.
On November 16, 2020, the New Mexico state governor updated the executive order (cv.nmhealth.org/wp-content/…) requiring all visitors from out of state to self-isolate or self-quarantine for a period of at least 14 days from the date of their entry into the State of New Mexico or for the duration of their presence in the State, whichever is shorter. The terms "self-isolate" or "self-quarantine" refer the voluntary physical separation of a person or group of people in a residence or other place of lodging. Any person who is self-isolating or self-quarantining may only leave a residence or place of lodging to receive medical care and should not allow others into the residence or place of lodging except for those providing medical care, emergency response, or other individuals designated by the New Mexico Department of Health.
The executive order also closes all New Mexico State Parks to non-NM residents.
This Executive Order shall take effect on November 16, 2020 and shall remain in effect through the duration of the public health emergency declared in Executive Order 2020-004 and any extensions of that emergency declaration or until it is rescinded.
Additionally, NM state guidance requires all persons to wear a mask anytime they are out in public, including outdoor recreation areas.
Bat Cave, Afterburner and beyond
Steep face to overhanging cave climbing on tall Rio Grande Corridor basalt. Classic high-desert setting overlooking the confluence of the Rio Grande and the Rio Pueblo southwest of Taos. East-facing with great early morning sun. Cool in the late afternoon during the summer months. This is the half-mile-long cliff band left of the Bat Cave. Approach on climbers' trail about 15 min from the car. The walls from north to south include: Bat Cave, Time Bandits, Gold Rush, Afterburner, Monster, New Era and Wayne Manor. Look for ratings at base of each climb sharpied on small stones.
Expect secluded climbing with beautiful views to the Rio Grande Gorge and the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range.
Long sport routes (up to 100 feet) on mostly good basalt. Bring gear for established cracks. Some routes are mixed and most are bolts only. About 40 routes so far with a number of them in the 5.12 range.
World class whitewater, fly fishing and mountain biking surround the area. The stunning camping sites available along the class II float of the Orilla Verde State Park a few miles below this wall make this a multisport destination.
Helmets recommended. Not easily top-roped.
Expect secluded climbing with beautiful views to the Rio Grande Gorge and the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range.
Long sport routes (up to 100 feet) on mostly good basalt. Bring gear for established cracks. Some routes are mixed and most are bolts only. About 40 routes so far with a number of them in the 5.12 range.
World class whitewater, fly fishing and mountain biking surround the area. The stunning camping sites available along the class II float of the Orilla Verde State Park a few miles below this wall make this a multisport destination.
Helmets recommended. Not easily top-roped.
Getting There
From south: Turn west at Pilar on NM 570 toward Carson. After several riverside miles, cross the Taos Junction Bridge over the Rio Grande onto NM 567 and climb out of the gorge on a gravel 2-wheel-drive road. Park at the La Vista Verde trailhead halfway up to the rim.
From north: Take NM 64 West across Rio Grande Gorge Bridge to West Rim Road South. Turn left onto pavement at junction with road to Carson (NM567) and then descend east into Rio Grande Gorge on gravel road (toward Pilar). Continue down to small parking area at La Vista Verde (North side of road).
To find climbers' trail, cross over wash on road heading uphill. Immediately after wash look for cairns on the other side of the road and pick up trail through boulders on the northwest side of the wash. This climbs steeply up to the Bat Cave, Afterburner and other walls.
Guidebook: Taos Rock: Climbs and Boulders of Northern New Mexico. Author:Jay Foley Publisher: Sharp End Publishing, 2005
Best resource for the established climbs in this area.
Guide Service - Mountain Skills climbingschoolusa.com/index…
From north: Take NM 64 West across Rio Grande Gorge Bridge to West Rim Road South. Turn left onto pavement at junction with road to Carson (NM567) and then descend east into Rio Grande Gorge on gravel road (toward Pilar). Continue down to small parking area at La Vista Verde (North side of road).
To find climbers' trail, cross over wash on road heading uphill. Immediately after wash look for cairns on the other side of the road and pick up trail through boulders on the northwest side of the wash. This climbs steeply up to the Bat Cave, Afterburner and other walls.
Guidebook: Taos Rock: Climbs and Boulders of Northern New Mexico. Author:Jay Foley Publisher: Sharp End Publishing, 2005
Best resource for the established climbs in this area.
Guide Service - Mountain Skills climbingschoolusa.com/index…
Classic Climbing Routes at Vista Verde Crag
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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