Climbing Near Highland Meadows, New Mexico

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. 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.

This small granite TR area faces north and is hidden from view behind some trees. There are 5 anchors and 6 basic routes.  Routes can be set from the top by approaching from the right.  There are a couple of single bolts back from the edge for setting safety.  The area is named for an old theme park which was once located a bit north of the crag on old Route 66.   https://www.hiddennewmexico.com/blog/little-beaver-townPRESENTATION: 60th Anniversary of Little Beaver Town Old West Theme Park There are two parking options and approach trails. Both approach trails are documented on the Mountain Project map.OPTION 1: GPS Coordinates: 35.065196, -106.486809Park along the road on Route 66 just east of Carmellia Dr and west of the RoofCare building. From the parking lot, hike across the empty lot and connect to the trail at the southwest end of the lot. You’re headed towards the dead tree at the right end of the empty lot that you can see from the parking. Follow the trail down (south) towards the trees and arroyo. You’ll eventually see the top of the cliff in front of you below the power lines. As you near the last downhill section, follow the trail as it traverses left into the arroyo. Then turn right and follow the arroyo a short distance to a fence. Just before the fence turn left on a path that leads into the trees and follow it to the base of the cliff.OPTION 2: GPS Coordinates: 35.062543, -106.481576Park at the large turnout on Rt. 66 about 1 mile east of Tramway Blvd and Central Ave. The parking is just past the American Society of Radiologic Technologists building on the right if driving eastbound. From the parking lot, hike downhill into the arroyo, turn right at a fence and enter the Albuquerque Open Space. Walk west down the arroyo keeping mostly on the north side trails for roughly a half mile. Look for power lines on the hill to your left above the cliff. You'll come to a fence crossing the arroyo just before the houses, turn left on a path into the trees just before the fence and follow it to the cliff. 

Another spot in the foothills with granite bouldering. Easy approaches with good landings. Go east on I-40 from basically anywhere in town. Get off at Tramway (last exit before you head up the canyon) and turn south. Take that road until you hit 4 Hills Rd. Take 4 Hills road until it turns into stagecoach RD SE. Take that road until you come to a dead end and park. There should be a gate with a couple stop signs on it.