Gemstone East
Gemstone East in New Mexico has 5 traditional climbing routes across 3 grades.
- 5 routes
- 5.7 – 5.9+
- Trad
Is Gemstone East open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Sandia Ranger District. It doesn't name Gemstone East, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).
Area Closure for Recreation Residence Structures and Property at 91 Casa Loma Road
Agency closure covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-05-26-14 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District
Area Closure for Recreation Residence Structures and Property at 69 Casa Loma Road
Agency closure covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-05-26-13 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District
Area Closure for Sandia Crest “Switchback” Hazard Tree and Fuel Reduction Project
Agency closure covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-05-26-02 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District
Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts Stage 1 Fire Restriction Lifted
Agency alert covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-00-26-20 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District
Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts Stage 1 Fire Restriction Order 03-03-00-26-05
Agency alert covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-00-26-05 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District
As of · Source: USFS · Sandia Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Best time to visit Gemstone East
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
44° / 19°
Feb
48° / 22°
Mar
55° / 26°
Apr
63° / 34°
May
73° / 41°
Jun
83° / 49°
Jul
83° / 53°
Aug
80° / 52°
Sep
77° / 46°
Oct
65° / 36°
Nov
54° / 24°
Dec
43° / 18°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sandia Park, NM, 6.2 mi away at 7,030 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Gemstone East is a climbing area in the Sandia Mountain Wilderness, part of the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits within designated wilderness. The climbing here is all trad, with five routes ranging from 5.7 to 5.9+. Opal, Revenge of the Elderly and Surf Naked are all 5.7, and Sapphire and Emerald City are 5.9 and 5.9+. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically May and September, when typical averages from the nearby Sandia Park weather station run around 73°F and 77°F. Winter is cold, with January highs near 44°F and lows around 19°F. Gemstone West and Flake n' Bake are both about 0.1 mile away, and Lower La Cueva Domes (History Slabs) is about 0.2 mile off. The La Cueva Trail is about 0.4 mile away.
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