New Mexico · Rock climbing · Jemez Springs

Main Sector

Main Sector in New Mexico has 13 traditional climbing routes across 9 grades.

13 routes
5.9 – 5.12b
Trad

Is Main Sector open right now?

Closure in the area

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

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

Best time to visit Main Sector

Best months: April–June and September–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

    40° / 21°

    6 wet

  2. Feb

    45° / 24°

    6 wet

  3. Mar

    53° / 30°

    7 wet

  4. Apr

    61° / 35°

    6 wet

  5. May

    70° / 44°

    6 wet

  6. Jun

    81° / 53°

    7 wet

  7. Jul

    83° / 57°

    13 wet

  8. Aug

    80° / 55°

    14 wet

  9. Sep

    74° / 49°

    9 wet

  10. Oct

    63° / 38°

    6 wet

  11. Nov

    50° / 28°

    5 wet

  12. Dec

    40° / 21°

    6 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Los Alamos, NM, 7.1 mi away at 7,424 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Main Sector is a climbing area in the Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest in New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing sectors, with Entrance Pinnacle Sector just 0.1 mile away and Main Cliff and Capulin Canyon within half a mile. The area is a traditional climbing destination. Thirteen routes are listed, all rated trad, with grades ranging from 5.9 to 5.12b. Among them are Bubblegum Crack at 5.9, Delirious at 5.10c, and Half-Baked Alaska at 5.12a. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. Typical averages from the nearby Los Alamos weather station show May highs around 70°F and September highs around 74°F, while July and August bring the most wet days, about 13 to 14 a month. Hikers can reach the Capulin and Boundary Peak trails within a mile, and Tetilla Peak campground lies about 9.5 miles away.