New Mexico · Rock climbing · Datil

East Face

East Face in New Mexico has 8 sport climbing routes on 6 difficulty grades.

8 routes
5.10b/c – 5.12a
Sport

Is East Face open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Magdalena Ranger District.

  • Magdalena Ranger District Bear Trap Campground Closure Order #03-03-03-26-01

    Agency alert covering Magdalena Ranger District · Order 03-03-03-26-01 · USFS · Magdalena Ranger District

As of · Source: USFS · Magdalena Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit East Face

Best months: April–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

  1. Jan

    43° / 20°

    5 wet

  2. Feb

    47° / 23°

    5 wet

  3. Mar

    56° / 27°

    5 wet

  4. Apr

    64° / 33°

    3 wet

  5. May

    73° / 41°

    4 wet

  6. Jun

    83° / 50°

    5 wet

  7. Jul

    83° / 53°

    11 wet

  8. Aug

    80° / 52°

    12 wet

  9. Sep

    75° / 46°

    7 wet

  10. Oct

    64° / 37°

    5 wet

  11. Nov

    52° / 27°

    4 wet

  12. Dec

    43° / 20°

    5 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Pietown 19ne, NM, 16.6 mi away at 7,961 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

East Face is a sport climbing area in the Magdalena Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing areas, with The Land Beyond and West Face (a.k.a. Grid Wall) each about 0.1 mile away. The routes here are all sport, and they run from about 5.10b/c up to 5.12a. The median grade is 5.11c. Among the named routes are Smaug, a 5.10b/c, and Frodo, a 5.11c, both of which were first ascended by Lance Hadfield and Chris McConaugh. Alice Does Wonderland is the hardest, at 5.12a. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Pietown show May highs around 73°F and October highs around 64°F, while July and August bring the most wet days, about 11 and 12 a month. Other climbing areas within a short drive include Mother Goose Wall, about 1.4 miles away, and Enchanted Tower, about 1.5 miles away. For an overnight stay, Datil Well Recreation Area Campground is about 7.5 miles off.

Routes (8)