New Mexico · Rock climbing · Datil

West Face (a.k.a. Grid Wall)

West Face (Grid Wall) in New Mexico has 9 sport climbing routes across 6 grades.

9 routes
5.10a – 5.12b
Sport

Is West Face (a.k.a. Grid Wall) 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 West Face (a.k.a. Grid Wall)

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.

  1. Jan

    43° / 20°

    5 wet

  2. Feb

    47° / 23°

    5 wet

  3. Mar

    56° / 27°

    5 wet

  4. Apr

    64° / 33°

    3 wet

  5. May

    73° / 41°

    4 wet

  6. Jun

    83° / 50°

    5 wet

  7. Jul

    83° / 53°

    11 wet

  8. Aug

    80° / 52°

    12 wet

  9. Sep

    75° / 46°

    7 wet

  10. Oct

    64° / 37°

    5 wet

  11. Nov

    52° / 27°

    4 wet

  12. Dec

    43° / 20°

    5 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Pietown 19ne, NM, 16.6 mi away at 7,961 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

West Face, also known as Grid Wall, is a sport climbing area in the Magdalena Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. The wall is part of a cluster of climbing spots, with East Face and The Land Beyond just 0.1 mile away. The area is a compact, high-grade wall with nine sport routes, ranging from 5.10a to 5.12b. The most straightforward is Hoggle at 5.10a, and the hardest is Something Lethal at 5.12b. Gandolf, at 5.11d, is the median grade. Most of the routes were first ascended by Lance Hadfield and Chris McConaugh. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable, with typical averages from a nearby weather station showing highs around 73°F in May and 75°F in September. July and August bring more wet days, about 11 and 12 a month. The station sits a few hundred feet lower than the wall, so temperatures on the face run slightly cooler. Other climbing areas are close by, including Mother Goose Wall at 1.4 miles, Enchanted Tower at 1.5 miles, and Pogue's Cave Area at 1.5 miles. For an overnight stay, Datil Well Recreation Area Campground is about 7.5 miles away.

Routes (9)