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Elevation: 6,357 ft
GPS: 35.6301, -106.135
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Shared By: George Perkins on Feb 6, 2010
Admins: Jason Halladay, Mike Hoskins, Anna Brown

Description Suggest change

Cameltrack Canyon is a forgotten 35' basalt area with 2 sport climbs and a few top rope options just west of Santa Fe. It has escaped publication, except for brief mention in Toula's Rock-N-Road guide, which says it was also referred to as "Asshole Canyon". This area is maybe worth checking out once if you want to explore a different area near Santa Fe, but is nowhere nearly as good, tall, or extensive as similar style basalt cragging at Diablo, White Rock, or Taos Gorge.

The climbs are on a south-facing wall, so the season is spring and fall, and warmer winter days.

From right to left, the climbs are:
Tap Dancing on Glass (5.12) sport, 3 bolts, 2-bolt anchor
Unknown Seam (~5.8) trad, 2-bolt anchor
Unknown- Left Sport Climb (~5.9) sport, 3 bolts, 2-bolt anchor
Unknown Corner (~5.8) trad, 2-bolt anchor
Finger crack through a roof, with a fixed sling, no anchor (I didn't try it. Looks 5.11?)

The anchors on the climbs can be reached from the top, if you don't want to lead (scramble up on either side). You may find other even shorter cracks or TR options suitable for beginners as well.

Rock-N-Road says this is a "locals secret area" and gives no directions, but I can't imagine anyone cares now (let me know if otherwise). The climbs date from at least the early 90s, and there's not much potential for any quality new lines. This area will never be popular with its 30+ minute approach, short height, and small number of climbs. Especially now that Diablo has been developed so much in recent years and its approach road improved, Santa Fe climbers can so much more easily get more climbing done there.

The fossilized camel tracks have been hidden by the BLM to protect them from vandalism, supposedly.

Getting There Suggest change

From the Santa Fe Relief Route (NM 599) west of Santa Fe, go west on Airport Rd. 3.3 miles. Turn right on a dirt road at a sign for Camel Tracks Training Area. Go 0.5 miles on this road to a BLM sign and small parking area on the left.

Walk 100' farther along the road, and go north through on an old 2-track road (this used to be locked/gated, but isn’t as of 12/22). Follow this old road about 10 minutes to a fork- take the left fork which is marked with a BLM trail sign. Follow this road/trail, which ends after a ways, and continue up the shallow drainage about 15 minutes. The climbs are at the tallest section of cliff, on the right wall (north side of canyon).

4 Total Climbs

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