New Mexico · Rock climbing · Carlsbad

Essence of Darkness

Near the top of Solstice Cave's 14 catalogued routes.

5.13a
grade
Sport Bolted
style

Is Essence of Darkness open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 3 alerts for Lincoln National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Lincoln National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Essence of Darkness

Best months: September–May. 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

    56° / 34°

    4 wet · 1 snow

  2. Feb

    61° / 37°

    3 wet

  3. Mar

    68° / 43°

    3 wet

  4. Apr

    76° / 49°

    2 wet

  5. May

    84° / 58°

    4 wet

  6. Jun

    92° / 66°

    5 wet

  7. Jul

    91° / 68°

    6 wet

  8. Aug

    90° / 66°

    7 wet

  9. Sep

    83° / 60°

    6 wet

  10. Oct

    75° / 52°

    5 wet

  11. Nov

    65° / 42°

    3 wet

  12. Dec

    57° / 35°

    3 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Carlsbad Caverns, NM, 18.9 mi away at 4,435 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

One of 14 routes catalogued at Solstice Cave, this climb sits near the upper end of the crag's range, which spans from 5.10b to 5.13d.