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Comales Canyon Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in Comales Canyon

Lower/Creek Level Walls 17 / 1 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 19

Upper Level Walls 2 / 33 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 35

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Elevation:	8,080 ft	2,463 m
GPS:	36.15958, -105.58527 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	96,660 total · 476/month
Shared By:	Mike Howard on Nov 5, 2008 · Updates
Admins:	Mike Howard, Jason Halladay, Mike Hoskins, Anna Brown Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Nesting Details

Seasonal Raptor Nesting:
This climbing area is shared with raptors that nest on the cliffs. Help us maintain access and please avoid climbing near active nests/ledges that raptors are using. If a raptor is disturbed during nesting season it may exhibit aggressive defensive behaviors like vocalizing or dive-bombing. If you witness this behavior, retreat from your climb immediately and find a location on a different formation or a different part of the wall far enough away from the raptors that they are no longer noticeably agitated. If they remain agitated, then please leave the area immediately.
Raptor awareness is especially important during nesting season from mid-February to late May but needs to be considered through the end of August. Please report disturbed and/or nesting raptors to the Carson National Forest the appropriate district office (see below) and share relevant information here on MP. Human-raptor encounters can have negative impacts for the birds and climbers in the area. The Cason NF wants to maintain climbing access while protecting raptor reproduction and relies on climbers to recreate responsibly and share information in order to avoid the need for formal raptor closures.

Questa Ranger District
(575) 586-0520
Camino Real (Comales Canyon) Ranger District
(575) 587-2255
Tres Piedras Ranger District
(575) 758-8678
El Rito Ranger District
(575) 581-4554

Description

Beautiful high mountain setting in pristine canyon with bullet-hard rock. Moderate trad on the banks of a mountain stream (Water Wall), and a few fun bolted sport routes on the steep black and orange cliff band above (Fire Wall).

Getting There

Hwy 518 about 18 miles south of Taos. Look for FS Rd 22 just past Comales Campground at a turnout on the right. If you get to Sipapu, you missed it...

Great swimming a mile East on NM 518 at a pull out on the north of the road below a series of small waterfalls.

Food, gas, lodging and a nice disc golf course in Sipapu Ski Area a few miles further east on NM518. One of the most family friendly climbing areas in Taos county.

Guide book for the area is Jay Foley's "Taos Rock"

Local guide service www.climbtaos.com

54 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Comales Canyon

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 42 ● Stella's Groove Sport Upper Level Walls > 3. Fire Wall
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 33 ● Fun for the Whole Family Sport Upper Level Walls > 1. Tim's Thumb
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 67 ● In Descent Sport Upper Level Walls > 3. Fire Wall
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a 54 ● Nicole's Corner Sport Upper Level Walls > 2. The Block
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 30 ● E-Z Rider Sport Upper Level Walls > 3. Fire Wall
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 47 ● Kindling Sport Upper Level Walls > 3. Fire Wall
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b 60 ● Prescribed Burn Sport Upper Level Walls > 3. Fire Wall
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 30 ● Shadow Caster Sport Upper Level Walls > 2. The Block
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c 46 ● The Egg Sport Upper Level Walls > 3. Fire Wall
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c 49 ● Fire Walker Sport Upper Level Walls > 3. Fire Wall
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a 48 ● Burnt Sport Upper Level Walls > 3. Fire Wall
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a 30 ● Reignite Sport Upper Level Walls > 3. Fire Wall
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a 28 ● Toast Sport Upper Level Walls > 3. Fire Wall
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a 32 ● Hammer Time Sport Upper Level Walls > 3. Fire Wall
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a 32 ● Family Man Sport Upper Level Walls > 1. Tim's Thumb