Monster Island
Monster Island in New Mexico has 16 climbing routes across 11 grades.
Photo: Kent G. Budge, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- 16 routes
- V0 – V9
- Bouldering · Sport · Trad
Is Monster Island open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists an alert for Magdalena Ranger District.
Magdalena Ranger District Bear Trap Campground Closure Order #03-03-03-26-01
Agency alert covering Magdalena Ranger District · Order 03-03-03-26-01 · USFS · Magdalena Ranger District
As of · Source: USFS · Magdalena Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Best time to visit Monster Island
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
43° / 20°
5 wet
Feb
47° / 23°
5 wet
Mar
56° / 27°
5 wet
Apr
64° / 33°
3 wet
May
73° / 41°
4 wet
Jun
83° / 50°
5 wet
Jul
83° / 53°
11 wet
Aug
80° / 52°
12 wet
Sep
75° / 46°
7 wet
Oct
64° / 37°
5 wet
Nov
52° / 27°
4 wet
Dec
43° / 20°
5 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Pietown 19ne, NM, 12.8 mi away at 7,961 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Monster Island is a climbing area in the Magdalena Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of named climbing areas, with several more within a few miles. The climbing here is mostly bouldering, with 14 boulder problems and one sport route. Grades range from V0 to V9 on the V scale, and from 5.5 to 5.11 on the YDS scale. Among the standouts are Frankenstein Center at V7 and The Poop Shoot at V9. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 73°F and October highs around 64°F, while July and August bring the most wet days, about 11 and 12, and the warmest highs in the low 80s. West Face (a.k.a. Grid Wall) and East Face are both about 6 miles away, and Enchanted Tower is roughly 7 miles off. For hiking, the Cdt Jkjcc trail is about 9.5 miles away.
Routes (16)
Death Rail(1)
Death Slab(1)
Frankenstein(3)
Kong's Playground(1)
Point 8,919(1)
Too Ugly For Disco(1)
Willy Scare(1)
Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive
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