New Mexico · Rock climbing · Albuquerque

Sandia Mountains

5 climbing routes in the Sandia Mountains, New Mexico, ranging across 4 difficulty grades.

Photo: Kevin Stroup, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

5 routes

5.3 – 5.9

Alpine

Is Sandia Mountains open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sandia Ranger District. It doesn't name Sandia Mountains, 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 Oct 25, 11:40 am MDT · Source: USFS · Sandia Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Sandia Mountains

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 mi away at 7,030 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

The Sandia Mountains in New Mexico are a climbing area within the Sandia Mountain Wilderness, part of the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest. The Forest Service manages the land, and the wilderness lies within the national forest's boundaries. The climbing here is alpine, with five routes in the area. The grades range from 5.3 to 5.9+, with Allamistakeo at 5.9 and Poker and West Face Direct at 5.9+. North Ramp is the easiest at 5.3, and Windy Ridge is 5.8-. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Sandia Park, at about 7,000 feet, show May highs around 73°F and September highs around 77°F, with lows in the 40s. Winter is cold, with January highs near 44°F and lows around 19°F. Several other climbing and hiking spots sit close by. Lower Domingo Baca Slabs (The Ribcage) is about 0.3 miles away, and the Domingo Baca and North Pino Canyon Route hikes are within a mile. The Main Area climbing area is about 0.9 miles off.