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Summer trip to AZ & NM with young KIDS - Any suggestions on where to climb?

Original Post
Nate Holmes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2007 · Points: 0

Family is heading to Arizona (Flagstaff area) and New Mexico (Santa Fe area) for a summer vacation. We are looking to do a bit of climbing. Our children (ages 4 & 6) both of which have been climbing for several years will be with us. We are looking for areas with easy approaches and routes. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks.

Randall Gann · · Albuquerque, NM · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 25

There is an area North of Santa Fe (a bit north!) called Tres Piedras that is really great for kids. Mostly single pitch -- some sport, some trad. The approaches are all short and flat with fabulous hangs at the base and the camping is trophy. The climbing is actually decent.

Manny Rangel · · PAYSON · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 4,891

Camping and climbing in Flag is great with kids if you go to Jack's canyon. The trail down is ok, the climbs are easy to access and they won't fall off anything. The Pit is a bit more scary to have kids running around, lot of ledges. Kelly Canyon has a good trail down, bouldering and a nice canyon to hang in. Have fun.

Monomaniac · · Morrison, CO · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 17,305

El Rito (1hr N of SF) is great for beginners. The approach is about 10 min, but its on a pretty good trail. Beautiful setting and easy, straightforward climbing.

Nate Holmes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2007 · Points: 0

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I sure we will find some great climbing.

Alexander Nees · · Grand Junction, CO · Joined Apr 2007 · Points: 720

Try Mentmore, outside of Gallup. You'll have to go right past it on I-40 when driving into NM from Flag. Very kid-friendly: part of the initial impetus for development was for local programatic use. Easy access, easy to set TRs on everything, quite a few 8s and 9s for the kids. There's a good guide to it on this site.

Nate Holmes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2007 · Points: 0

What guidebooks would one suggest for AZ & NM in particular for the areas mentioned above?

Randall Gann · · Albuquerque, NM · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 25

Jay Foley's Taos Rock covers Tres Piedras and El Rito and, as a bonus, is written by a local climber.

Jason Halladay · · Los Alamos, NM · Joined Oct 2005 · Points: 15,548

Head to the hills! Las Conchas in the Jemez is a gorgeous place for hiking, picnicking and, of course, climbing. The Cattle Call Wall is a 10 second approach from the parking area and offers a small meadow at the base. There's a fun 5.6 climb on Cattle Call along with a 5.7 and 5.8. Kids might need a boost up the first 6 feet of the wall but it's good after that.

It'll take about 90 minutes to get to Las Conchas from Santa Fe driving through Los Alamos. You'll pass by the scenic Valles Caldera en route for an added bonus.

Mike Lane · · AnCapistan · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 880

Jason- What kind of rock is that?

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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