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Elevation: 5,026 ft 1,532 m
GPS: 35.10548, -106.63033
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Shared By: Anthony Stout on Nov 11, 2008 · Updates
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Albuquerque Area Climbing Suggest change

All these areas exist right east of the city of Albuquerque.

  • Sandia Mountains: The Sandia Mountains sits on the east side of Albuquerque and it's roughly an hour drive to the top from Albuquerque. Sandia Peak has an elevation of 10,678′ and the mountain offers committing alpine adventure with long approaches and tall walls.
  • Sandia Foothills: Provides lower-elevation climbing and bouldering nestled in a high-desert of piñon-juniper forest full of boulders and cactus.
  • Palomas Peak: Technical limestone sport climbing at the north end of the Sandia Mountains above the town of Placitas. About a 40 minute drive from Albuquerque with a 35 minute hiking approach.
  • TV Station Bouldering: High quality, alpine, limestone bouldering at the top of the Sandias, just north of the Sandia Crest.
  • Sandia Foothills Bouldering: Granite bouldering in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. This is the closest outdoor climbing you can find from the city of Albuquerque. Popular spots are U-Mound, Fat City, Indian School, Manitoba/Montgomery Trailhead and Three Gun (Tres Pistolas).
  • Carnuel Crag: This small cluster of large granite boulders offers decent climbing close to Albuquerque, with a relatively easy approach. It’s a great alternative to the gym. The wall faces east, making it especially pleasant on summer evenings and sunny winter mornings.
  • Ranger Station: A short, south-facing limestone cliff located immediately south of the Sandia Ranger Station building in Tijeras. The wall is has easy access, mellow routes, and is an ideal spot for new climbers or anyone looking for a relaxed day on the rock—kids included.
  • Little Beaver Town: A small granite wall that faces north and is hidden from view from a neighborhood behind trees in an arroyo.
  • Big Block: A limestone small sport and bouldering crag just outside of Albuquerque.
  • Tunnel Springs: An area near Placitas which featuring short, sustained climbs on moderate quality, sharp limestone.

Getting There Suggest change

The biggest city in the state of New Mexico, look for the intersection of I-25 and I-40, and everything around it is Albuquerque.

975 Total Climbs

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Location: Albuquerque Area Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Albuquerque Area

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V3 6A
 44
Highball Knob Problem
Boulder
Easy 5th 1+ 3 I 5 M 1c
 134
Knife Edge Ridge
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 157
Estrellita
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 168
The Second Coming
Trad 4 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R
 70
Warpy Moople
Trad 7 pitches
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 73
Aviary Ort Overhangs
Trad 3 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 65
Estrellada (a.k.a. Mountain Momma)
Trad 6 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 73
Great Escape
Trad
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 78
Green Eggs and Ham
Sport
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 43
Skinwalker
Trad
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 34
Rawhide
Trad 2 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 39
Little Yellow Jacket
Trad 5 pitches
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a PG13
 42
License and a Visa
Sport 4 pitches
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 36
Rode Hard
Sport
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 25
Autumn Ivy
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Highball Knob Problem Sandia Foothill… > Three Gun (Tres… > Trail Side Area 1
 44
V3 6A Boulder
Knife Edge Ridge Sandia Mountains > Juan Tabo Canyon > Shield
 134
Easy 5th 1+ 3 I 5 M 1c Trad
Estrellita Sandia Mountains > La Cueva Canyon… > Estrellita
 157
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
The Second Coming Sandia Mountains > Chimney Canyon > Muralla Grande
 168
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 4 pitches
Warpy Moople Sandia Mountains > Chimney Canyon > Muralla Grande
 70
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R Trad 7 pitches
Aviary Ort Overhangs Sandia Mountains > La Cueva Canyon… > Thumb
 73
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad 3 pitches
Estrellada (a.k.a. Mountain… Sandia Mountains > La Cueva Canyon… > Torreon
 65
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad 6 pitches
Great Escape Sandia Mountains > Echo Canyon > Yucca Flower Tower
 73
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad
Green Eggs and Ham Placitas > Palomas Peak > (07) The Dihedral Wall
 78
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Skinwalker Sandia Mountains > Chimney Canyon > Clandestine Wall
 43
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad
Rawhide Sandia Mountains > Echo Canyon > Yucca Flower Tower
 34
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad 2 pitches
Little Yellow Jacket Sandia Mountains > Chimney Canyon > Muralla Grande
 39
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad 5 pitches
License and a Visa Sandia Mountains > Pino Wall & Jaw… > Pino Wall
 42
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a PG13 Sport 4 pitches
Rode Hard Placitas > Palomas Peak > (06) The Transition Zone
 36
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Autumn Ivy Sandia Mountains > Chimney Canyon > Clandestine Wall
 25
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Trad
More Classic Climbs in Albuquerque Area »

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