What's the best time of year to climb at Cedro?

Spring and fall are the most reliable seasons for comfortable temperatures on high-desert stone. Summer mornings can work before the heat builds, and the rock dries quickly after afternoon monsoon rain typical of July and August. Winter midday sessions are possible on sunny days, but morning shade keeps the rock cold longer at this elevation.

What gear should I bring?

For bouldering, bring a crash pad, climbing shoes, and a brush for the holds, since high-desert rock can accumulate chalk and dust. If you plan to get on the roped routes, bring a standard sport rack with quickdraws and confirm anchor setups on-site, as this is a locally developed crag without published topo guides for every line.

How do I access the climbing areas around Cedro?

Cedro sits within the Cibola National Forest, so access is generally on public land, but specific trailhead parking and road conditions can vary seasonally. A high-clearance vehicle is useful for some forest roads in the area. Check with the Mountainair Ranger District of Cibola National Forest before your visit for current road and access conditions.

New Mexico · Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing in Cedro, New Mexico

Cedro, New Mexico sits in the Manzano Mountains east of Albuquerque, and its rock climbing scene is built almost entirely around bouldering and short sport routes on solid high-desert stone.

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Rock Climbing · 30 spots

Cedro, New Mexico sits in the Manzano Mountains east of Albuquerque, and its rock climbing scene is built almost entirely around bouldering and short sport routes on solid high-desert stone. The area's 30 listed routes and problems span a wide skill range, from entry-level warm-ups like Warmup V1 to technical testpieces like Crimpy V5, with a healthy middle tier of V2 and V3 problems that make Cedro a practical destination for intermediate climbers looking to build on real movement. Dedicated climbing areas include the Bouldering Cave, Big Block, and Block Wall, each offering a distinct style of problem. You'll find pinch-heavy sequences on Murray Pinch and the Murray Pinch Traverse, compression and power moves on the Football Problem and Double Bump, and more technical crimpy lines scattered throughout. Rope climbers aren't left out either, with named routes like Shaolin Minefield, Blockade, Beth, Seth, and Minnesota rounding out the list. The setting is high desert, which means thin air, fast-drying rock after rain, and temperature swings that reward early starts in summer and midday sessions in winter. It's a local crag in the best sense: not crowded, not heavily developed, and worth knowing about if you're based in or passing through the Albuquerque area.

Frequently asked questions

What skill levels are the Cedro climbing areas suited for?

There's a genuine range here. Warmup V1 and The V2 give newer boulderers something to work with, while problems like Crimpy V5 and routes like Shaolin Minefield push into more demanding territory. The bulk of the listed problems sit in the V2-V3 range, so intermediate climbers will find the most options.

Is Cedro primarily a bouldering destination or are there roped routes?

Bouldering dominates the listing, with problems spread across areas like the Bouldering Cave, Big Block, and Block Wall. That said, there are named roped routes including Minnesota, Seth, Beth, Blockade, Big Block 1, Big Block 2, and Shaolin Minefield, so bringing a rope and a small rack or draws is worthwhile if you want variety.