I was driving back from Abiquiu towards Colorado when I noticed piles of large boulders next to the road on Hwy 84 near Mile Post 233. It looked like welded tuff or sandstone like Joe's Valley. I was on a schedule and didn't have my pad, so I didn't get out to look at it. - Has anyone been up there to pull on it? (choss or hard) - Is there any documentation of it?
Looking on Googlemaps, it looks like across the creek up Martinez Cyn there is more of the same rock. - Am I smoking something, or is this a worthy road trip?
Owen S
·
Nov 30, 2016
·
Los Alamos, NM
· Joined Jul 2010
· Points: 3,375
I dont know any specifics, but the boulders by 84 just south of Ghost Ranch have definitely been climbed- bright red sandstone similar to indian creek wingate. Probably more to be had up the canyon.
As for the ones you're talking about by Canjilon Creek, yeah I always look at them on my way to Durango. Doesn't look like the best rock of all time (and, by the way, sandstone for sure), but probably good enough to climb on. But, the land is private west of the road, and also the property boundary crosses the road a little further north where the boulders are, so you'd have to be very careful not to trespass.
If I was you I would just road trip a little further east to the Ortegas. Some of the best rock in the US (quartzite), over 1000 problems established.
I've walked around those at one time in the past. Been decades now but my memory says rather soft... FWIW: I never went back and I've driven that many times and climbed a lot of choss over the years. But that shouldn't stop you (if you're in the area.) I'd take Owen's advice...