El Norte
El Norte in New Mexico has 12 sport climbing routes across 7 grades.
- 12 routes
- 5.9 – 5.12a
- Sport
Is El Norte open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Carson National Forest.
Current Prescribed Fire Activity and Plans
Agency alert covering Carson National Forest · USFS · Carson National Forest
Current Fire Restrictions and Related Prohibitions
Agency alert covering Carson National Forest · USFS · Carson National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Carson National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Best time to visit El Norte
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.
Jan
41° / 18°
5 wet
Feb
46° / 21°
4 wet
Mar
54° / 26°
4 wet
Apr
63° / 32°
4 wet
May
72° / 40°
5 wet
Jun
81° / 47°
5 wet
Jul
84° / 54°
9 wet
Aug
82° / 53°
10 wet
Sep
76° / 46°
6 wet
Oct
65° / 36°
5 wet
Nov
51° / 25°
4 wet
Dec
41° / 19°
4 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at El Rito, NM, 3.4 mi away at 6,870 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
El Norte is a climbing area in the El Rito Ranger District of Carson National Forest in New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with Walt's Wall (aka The Outsider Wall), Gnar Wall and Route Canal and Beer Block all about 0.1 mile away, and Schoolhouse Slab about 0.2 mile off. The climbing here is all sport, with 12 routes spread across a range from 5.9- to 5.12a. Among them are Sorry Mr Policeman But if I Wanted to Talk to Someone I Would Have Called a Friend at 5.9- and F-Bomb at 5.12a. The routes are named with a mix of humor and whimsy, including Anis del Mono and My Hair Challenged Friend. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in El Rito run from highs around 72°F in May to 76°F in September, with July and August bringing the most wet days. That station sits about 800 feet lower than the climbing area, so temperatures up high run cooler. El Rito campground is about 3.3 miles away, and the CDT New Mexico Section is about 8 miles off. Cerro Negro Loop and Rio Ojo Caliente are both within about 10 miles.
Routes (12)
Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive
Photo: Kent G. Budge, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Tres Piedras Bouldering
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Walt's Wall (aka The Outsider Wall)
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Gnar Wall and Route Canal
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Beer Block
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Schoolhouse Slab
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Super Slab
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Super Slab in New Mexico has 5 sport climbing routes on 5 difficulty grades.
The Balcony
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