All Locations > New Mexico > Taos Area > Questa Dome

The Legs Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in The Legs

L › R R › L A › Z

	Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre (Original 5.8) T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	Full Repertoire, The T 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	No Questa About It T 5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a

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Elevation:	9,693 ft
GPS:	36.79544, -105.53739 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	12,794 total · 75/month
Shared By:	George Perkins on Nov 28, 2009 · Updates
Admins:	Mike Howard, Jason Halladay, Mike Hoskins, Anna Brown Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Nesting Details

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

The Legs (also called the Nutcracker) is a smaller formation left of the main Questa Dome, and is the 2nd biggest rock in the area. It is home to a nice popular 3-pitch 5.8 route (Bear Mtn. Picnic Massacre), with a 5.10 variation (more info on this climb can be found in J.Foley's Taos Rock). This formation is a good choice for a first visit to this area.

2 ropes are required for the standard rappel descent but there's also a walk-off option if you continue to the summit of the Questa Flatiron.

There is also potential for find-your-own adventure climbs in the 5.5-5.8 range up the low-angle crack systems right of the Legs, yet left of Questa Dome proper. Some of these are documented elsewhere (see link in comment below).

Getting There

Take the main trail up from the parking area (30 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. This is still 10 or 15 minutes before you reach the main Questa Dome.