The Sanctuary
7 trad routes at Sanctuary, The in New Mexico.
- 7 routes
- 5.9 – 5.11b
- Trad
Is Sanctuary, The open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Jemez Ranger District. It doesn't name Sanctuary, The, 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 · Source: USFS · Jemez Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Best time to visit The Sanctuary
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.
Jan
40° / 21°
6 wet
Feb
45° / 24°
6 wet
Mar
53° / 30°
7 wet
Apr
61° / 35°
6 wet
May
70° / 44°
6 wet
Jun
81° / 53°
7 wet
Jul
83° / 57°
13 wet
Aug
80° / 55°
14 wet
Sep
74° / 49°
9 wet
Oct
63° / 38°
6 wet
Nov
50° / 28°
5 wet
Dec
40° / 21°
6 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Los Alamos, NM, 6.3 mi away at 7,424 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
The Sanctuary 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 spots, with Hall of Giants just 0.1 mile away and TA-48 at 0.3 mile, so it works well as a base for exploring the surrounding crags. The area is a traditional climbing destination. Seven routes are listed, all rated between 5.9 and 5.11+. The Baptism is 5.10+, and Ciborium is 5.11b. The hardest is More Witches at 5.11+. 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 pair a climb with Capulin Trail 427, 0.2 mile away, or the Capulin hike at 0.8 mile. Tetilla Peak campground, about 10 miles off, offers a place to stay.
Routes (7)
Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive
Hall of Giants
~0 min drive
Hall of Giants in New Mexico has 6 traditional climbing routes across 5 grades.
Main Cliff
~1 min drive
Main Cliff in New Mexico has 59 traditional climbing routes across 14 difficulty grades.
Main Sector
~2 min drive
Main Sector in New Mexico has 13 traditional climbing routes across 9 grades.
Entrance Pinnacle Sector
~2 min drive
Entrance Pinnacle Sector in New Mexico has 7 trad climbing routes.
Upper Wall
~2 min drive
Upper Wall in New Mexico has 55 climbing routes ranging across 15 difficulty grades, offering mixed and traditional styles.
Capulin Canyon
~2 min drive
Capulin Canyon in New Mexico has 9 climbing routes across 6 grades, offering sport and trad styles.
Capulet Side Canyon
~2 min drive
Capulet Side Canyon in New Mexico has 20 traditional climbing routes across 9 grades.
The Hinterlands
~2 min drive
Hinterlands, The is a climbing area in New Mexico with 13 routes.
Toy Store
~3 min drive
Toy Store in New Mexico has 8 trad climbing routes.
Eagle Canyon
~8 min drive
Eagle Canyon in New Mexico has 25 climbing routes ranging across 13 difficulty grades, offering sport and trad options.
