New Mexico · Rock climbing · Albuquerque

Upper Simms

Upper Simms is a New Mexico climbing area with 6 bouldering routes.

6 routes

V0 – V10

Bouldering

Is Upper Simms open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sandia Ranger District. It doesn't name Upper Simms, 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 Upper Simms

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

Upper Simms is a bouldering area in the Sandia Mountain Wilderness, part of the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits within designated wilderness, so expect a backcountry setting. The climbing here is all bouldering, with six routes spread across the V0 to V10 range. The easiest is Uno at V0, and the hardest is Tommy Guns at V10. Bat Dance is a V2, and Little Drummer Boy is a V6+ with a first ascent by Tom Ellis. The most comfortable months for a visit are late spring and early fall. Typical averages from the nearby Sandia Park weather station run from highs around 73°F in May to about 77°F in September, with lows in the mid-40s. Winter is cold, with January highs near 44°F and lows around 19°F. The Main Area climbing area is just 0.2 miles away, and Simms Park (Elena Gallegos Picnic Area) is about 0.4 miles off. The Pino hike starts about 0.3 miles away, and the Sandia Mountains climbing area is roughly a mile away.