All Locations > New Mexico > El Rito

Little River Wall Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in Little River Wall

Cobble Cave 0 / 6 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 6

Main Wall 0 / 17 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 17

Sideshow Attraction Wall 0 / 6 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 6

Slope City (a.k.a. Pink Wall) 0 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 3

Vaudeville 0 / 4 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 4

Explore this area in 3D

Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.

Elevation:	7,400 ft
GPS:	36.38908, -106.2346 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	72,890 total · 615/month
Shared By:	Jason Halladay on Jul 27, 2014 · Updates
Admins:	Jason Halladay, Mike Hoskins, Anna Brown Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Nesting Warning Details

Season Raptor Nesting
This climbing area is shared with raptors that nest on the cliffs. Help us maintain access and please avoid climbing near active nests/ledges that raptors are using. If a raptor is disturbed during nesting season it may exhibit aggressive defensive behaviors like vocalizing or dive-bombing. If you witness this behavior, retreat from your climb immediately and find a location on a different formation or a different part of the wall far enough away from the raptors that they are no longer noticeably agitated. If they remain agitated, then please leave the area immediately.
Raptor awareness is especially important during nesting season from mid-February to late May but needs to be considered through the end of August. Please report disturbed and/or nesting raptors to the Carson National Forest the appropriate district office (see below) and share relevant information here on MP. Human-raptor encounters can have negative impacts for the birds and climbers in the area. The Cason NF wants to maintain climbing access while protecting raptor reproduction and relies on climbers to recreate responsibly and share information in order to avoid the need for formal raptor closures.

Questa Ranger District
(575) 586-0520
Camino Real (Comales Canyon) Ranger District
(575) 587-2255
Tres Piedras Ranger District
(575) 758-8678
El Rito Ranger District
(575) 581-4554

Description

The Little River Wall (LRW) area offers a tall, 100' foot wall situated right next to the El Rito River four miles northwest of El Rito, NM at an elevation of roughly 7,500'. In addition to the main wall, there are a few other shorter areas. The rock is conglomerate rock similar in nature to the other established sport climbing El Rito crag north of the town of El Rito. The conglomerate rock at the Little River Wall has some really good sections as well and many sections of lesser quality. Nonetheless, it has cleaned up nicely for long, enjoyable moderate sport climbs (60 meter rope mandatory!) That said, climbing development of the area only began in spring 2013 and, while most routes have seen numerous ascents, rock fall is still a strong possibility and it's imperative that belayers wear helmets and be attentive. Also, numerous rattlesnakes have been seen around the base of the walls so really pay attention when walking around.

ANCHOR INFORMATION
March 2024: With hardware provided by the American Safe Climbing Association (ASCA), the NM Mountain Club (with help from several NM climbers) completed a project to update anchors at Little River Wall with lowering hooks. All routes now have hardened steel lowering hardware installed. It's not advised to toprope through the lowering hardware. Both gates of the lowering hooks are oriented facing forward and do not ensure sufficient protection for toproping. Instead, build your own anchor with personal gear and have only the last person lower off the fixed lowering hardware. A special thank you to the climbers who came to help with this work! A donation to the ASCA helps fund future anchor upgrades.

The Layout

There are five established areas at the LRW--The Main Wall, the Cobble Cave, Slope City (a.k.a. Pink Wall), the smaller Sideshow Attraction Wall and the region between Slope City (a.k.a. Pink Wall) and the Sideshow Attraction wall called Vaudeville. All walls face west so they're shady until around noon or 1:00pm. The cave is shady most all day. The walls and surrounding area are in the El Rito Ranger District of the Carson National Forest.

The setting of the LRW is what really makes the area a wonderful area to visit. The wall is tall with the El Rito River running right next to the base of the southern tip of the Main Wall. A huge, flat grassy meadow dotted with cottonwood trees at the base of the wall makes for an idyllic setting to lounge and lunch during a day of climbing. And with a flat, five minute hiking approach one can bring all the comforts they desire. Kids and dogs can play in the gently flowing river while others climb. It definitely is a special place.

All routes in the area were established beginning in spring 2013. The original guide document is still available online (last updated August 2015), if interested.

Getting There

From the town of El Rito, NM, drive northwest on the paved NM Highway 110 for 3.8 miles where the road turns into a dirt road. Continue on the now dirt road (highway 110) for less than a quarter mile to a meadow with dispersed campsites on the right side of the road and a orange/white "Be Extra Careful with Fire" and "...for a healthy environment keep your forests green" sign. Look for this sign. Park here or continue another 25 yards to a small parking area on the left (west) side of the road. You will not be able to see the wall from the road as trees obscure the view! If you drive past the parking areas and arrive at the developed El Rito Campground, you've gone too far and need to turn back.

Map for accessing Little River Wall and an overview of the area.

From either of the parking areas, hike north along a small acequia towards the river. The short, flat approach trail is sometimes cairned and follows an old, faint road for a short bit before reaching the river. Cross the river and you're there. The wall will be obvious. In spring you may want sandals for the wet river crossing. However, upstream just a bit from the wall is a large downed Cottonwood tree over the river that makes for a convenient bridge. In summer and fall, the river is low enough to be crossed on large rocks in the river.

Google map driving directions from Highway 84: https://goo.gl/maps/biDBgPkDrczMcrpDA

Camping

The area is in the Carson National Forest. A few free, dispersed campsites can be found at the parking area meadow.

Additional dispersed camp sites are located along the dirt road up beyond the crag parking

Pack Out Your Used Toilet Paper (Leave No Trace ethics)

It is imperative climbers pack out their used toilet paper and trash. The steep, loose slopes behind the main wall make it more difficult to find a place to use the bathroom resulting in some very popular "poop spots." Unfortunately. there is a large amount of used toilet paper floating around these popular spots. This is gross and disrespectful to the area and other climbers. Do your part--put your used toilet paper (and poop for bonus points) in a baggie and take it home for disposal. Also, always pack out what trash you brought in. Bonus karma points for picking up trash left by disrespectful others.

36 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location:	Little River Wall Change
Type:	to Trad Sport Toprope
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:	then:

Classic Climbing Routes at Little River Wall

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 33 ● Zero Gravity Plinko Sport Vaudeville
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 34 ● Love Mongers for the Win Sport Main Wall
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c 51 ● Joy-Poppin' with Bubble Gummers Sport Main Wall
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 94 ● Imitation Strawberry Sport Main Wall
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 41 ● Baby Disco Show Sport Main Wall
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 70 ● Bit by the Bit Sport Main Wall
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 38 ● Everybody Jae Chang Tonight Sport Main Wall
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b 56 ● Busted by Dewey Sport Main Wall
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b 21 ● Chronostasis Sport Main Wall
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b 28 ● Bloody Turnip Sport Main Wall
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 13 ● Pickled Punks Sport Sideshow Attraction Wall
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b 50 ● Goiter Grabber Sport Main Wall
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c 57 ● Pull the Mirrors Off Your Cadill… Sport Main Wall
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a 12 ● Slope-oke Sport Slope City (a.k.a. Pi…
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b 23 ● Broken Desire Sport Cobble Cave