Elevation: | 9,801 ft | 2,987 m |
GPS: |
36.79435, -105.53466 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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Page Views: | 65,932 total · 356/month | |
Shared By: | George Perkins on Nov 28, 2009 · Updates | |
Admins: | Mike Howard, Jason Halladay, Mike Hoskins, Anna Brown |
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
The 5.8 on the Legs formation is also popular among those not up for 5.10.
The granite bouldering along the trail to the Dome is okay too.
Season: May through October, typically. Can be hot on hot summer days. Watch out for thunderstorms, especially in July and August. It can be warm enough in April, but the approach may still be snowy.
Guidebooks: A guidebook or at least a topo is recommended. 'Taos Rock' and 'Rock Climbing: New Mexico' are both excellent guides to the area, and both include the best climbs. 'Taos Rock' includes 2 or 3 more routes that aren't in RC:NM, and a section on the bouldering. Easier low-angle crack systems (undocumented) can be found on the slabs between the Legs and Questa Dome proper.
Getting There
From Taos: Take NM 522 north past the village of Questa. 6 miles past Questa take a right at a sign to El Rito. Go just under a mile to where the road turns (at a house) to dirt. Veer right and then climb up the steep road for just under a mile farther. At the T-junction, go right, and continue for 0.2 miles a small parking and the trailhead on the left. With high clearance you can get to the trailhead, without, you'll probably need to stop earlier (less than 10 minutes extra walk).
The trailhead is an ok place to camp. Don't drink the water from the stream without treating it, livestock are upstream.
Trailhead Location: N 36°47.8597 W 105°32.8762
Approach:
The trail climbs through the pine forest and soon meets a beautiful creek. In early season, the trail may be flooded by the creek in some places, but should not be a problem. As the trail gets steeper, the dome is obvious on the left. Stay on the trail until about level with the base, then traverse left to the base of the rock. This will take 45 minutes or so.
To get to "the Legs" formation, head up on a faint cairned trail at the first place the trail meets the boulderfield.
Classic Climbing Routes at Questa Dome
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