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Whiskey Peak Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Whiskey Peak

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	Unknown (a.k.a. "La Llorona" - The West Face) T WI4-5 R
	Whiskey Ridge T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b

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Elevation:	9,677 ft	2,950 m
GPS:	35.20138, -106.45688 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	539 total · 14/month
Shared By:	Hunter Corliss on May 24, 2023
Admins:	Jason Halladay, Mike Hoskins, Anna Brown Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: SANDIA CREST CLOSURE ALERT - Beginning APRIL 30, 2026, 140 acres at the top of the Sandia Mountains is under a closure order. Details

Beginning APRIL 30, 2026, 140 acres at the top of the Sandia Mountains will be under a closure order so the Forest Service can complete two different projects. The first project is an extensive "fuel reduction project" and the second is the demolition/remodeling of the whole upper parking lot and crest house. The Crest Road and all parking areas above the 10k parking lot will be closed in addition to the 140 acres of forest that will be under going the fuel reduction work. The closure will be enforced from April 30, 2026, at 6 a.m. through January 15, 2027, at 6 a.m., unless rescinded. You can find the official area closure order 03-03-05-26-02 on the forest website, where it describes the parking areas and trails that the agency will close at: fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts. For more information visit fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/news… or contact the Sandia Ranger District Office at 505-281-3304.

Description

Whiskey Peak comprises of perhaps the longest ridge in the Sandias, "Whiskey Ridge" (5.6), that stretches South to North, up out of Domingo Baca Canyon (starting off of the second tram tower) to its summit just West of The Thumb. It's also defined by its three prominent couloirs on the Northwest face, visible from a couple miles up the La Luz. As far as I know, there is only one established route on the formation, with three good approach options and a multitude of first ascent potential especially for new trad and sport routes on the eastern flanks. In a good winter, you can also bear witness to the longest frozen waterfall in the Sandias, which as far as I know still awaits a first ascent, and cascades magnificently off of the west face of Whiskey Peak for around 400 feet.

Getting There

Three known approach options exist:
-Rosamiento Canyon (~ 2-3 hours): for access to the West and North aspects
-The West Ridge "Trail" (~2 hours): for access to the second tram tower and start of Whiskey Ridge
-Domingo Baca Canyon (~2+ hours): an alternate approach option for second tram tower and Whiskey Ridge, but also the best option for getting to the East aspect of Whiskey Peak

The seemingly best descent off the summit of Whiskey Peak is to contour the slopes north of Whiskey Peak slowly dropping to about 9400ft elevation into the top of the prominent forested gully just West of the Thumb, picking up the Old La Luz at the bottom of it. Reference the approaches to the Thumb West Face routes like Water Stains and Halfbreed for a fuller picture of this descent.