New Mexico · Rock climbing · Jemez Springs

Jemez Mountains and Jemez Valley

5-route climbing area in New Mexico with sport and trad options.

5 routes

5.8 – 5.11b

Sport · Trad

Is Jemez Mountains and Jemez Valley open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Jemez Ranger District. It doesn't name Jemez Mountains and Jemez Valley, so check the source for the area it covers.

NFSR 313 Closed Due to Washout Near NM Highway 12
Agency closure covering Jemez Ranger District · USFS · Jemez Ranger District
Gilman Tunnels closed due to rockslide
Agency alert covering Jemez Ranger District · USFS · Jemez Ranger District

As of Oct 25, 10:05 pm MDT · Source: USFS · Jemez Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Jemez Mountains and Jemez Valley

Best months: May–June and September. 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
36° / 9°
9 wet
Feb
38° / 12°
9 wet
Mar
44° / 20°
9 wet
Apr
52° / 25°
8 wet
May
62° / 32°
8 wet
Jun
72° / 39°
8 wet
Jul
74° / 45°
15 wet
Aug
71° / 43°
15 wet
Sep
66° / 35°
11 wet
Oct
57° / 26°
7 wet
Nov
45° / 17°
6 wet
Dec
36° / 9°
9 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Los Alamos 13 W, NM, 6.2 mi away at 8,716 ft. The station sits about 700 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

The Jemez Mountains and Jemez Valley climbing area lies within the Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest in New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. It sits in the high country of the Jemez, with Jemez Falls Campground and the Jemez Falls Overlook Trail about a mile away, making the valley a natural base for climbers and hikers exploring this corner of the district. The area draws climbers with five routes, four of which are sport and one trad. The grades range from 5.8 up to 5.11b. Battleship Direct is the trad route at 5.8, while Renovation of Expectation and Pork Swords are sport routes at 5.11a/b and 5.11b. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Los Alamos show July highs around 74°F with lows near 45°F, though July and August also bring the most wet days of the year, about 15 each month. Winter is cold, with January highs averaging about 36°F. Nearby, East Fork and East Fork Box are hikes within a few miles. Jemez Cave, also known as Crystal Cave, is listed as closed, and the Rio Guadalupe offers canoeing about 10 miles away.