South Rock
South Rock in New Mexico has 12 climbing routes across 10 grades, offering sport and trad options.
- 12 routes
- 5.7 – 5.12a/b
- Trad · Sport
Is South Rock open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Carson National Forest.
Current Prescribed Fire Activity and Plans
Agency alert covering Carson National Forest · USFS · Carson National Forest
Current Fire Restrictions and Related Prohibitions
Agency alert covering Carson National Forest · USFS · Carson National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Carson National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Best time to visit South Rock
Best months: May–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
38° / 8°
Feb
41° / 12°
Mar
50° / 20°
Apr
59° / 26°
May
66° / 33°
Jun
79° / 43°
Jul
81° / 48°
Aug
78° / 47°
Sep
72° / 40°
Oct
62° / 29°
Nov
48° / 18°
Dec
38° / 10°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Tres Piedras, NM, 0.9 mi away at 8,139 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
South Rock is a climbing area in New Mexico's Carson National Forest, within the Tres Piedras Ranger District, about 0.9 miles from the Tres Piedras weather station. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits among several other named climbing areas, including North Rock, West Rock and Middle Rock, all within about a tenth of a mile. The climbing here is a mix of trad and sport routes, with 11 trad and one sport line. Grades run from 5.7 up to 5.12a/b. Eagle's Nest (original) is the easiest route at 5.7, and Rainy Daze, the sport route, is the hardest at 5.12a/b. Most of the routes were established before 1996, with Rainy Daze's first ascent in 1996. The most comfortable months for climbing are June through September, when typical averages from the nearby Tres Piedras station run from highs around 79°F and lows near 43°F in June to highs near 72°F and lows around 40°F in September. Winter is cold, with typical January highs near 38°F and lows around 8°F. Within a mile are North Rock and West Rock, and Aspen Alley. Tres Piedras RD, a lake fishing spot, is about 1.2 miles away, and the Tusas Loop hike is about 2.5 miles off.
Routes (12)
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