New Mexico Boulder  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  39.038, -108.6045 Map Page Views:  624. Good page?    Administrators:  Jesse Zacher, Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Cragophilia on Apr 23, 2011 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

BETA PHOTO: The distinctive shape in the rock we thought resem...

Description 

This excellent boulder is a hidden gem! It would be quite popular if it were located at Dynamite Shacks or some other roadside boulder destination. The name comes from the distinctive shape on the east face of this boulder that somewhat resembles the image on the New Mexico flag. It is also worth noting that this boulder is quite close to the Holy Cross area and could possibly be considered part of that.

We were certain that we were the first to climb this boulder because of the large amount of cryptobiotic soil that surrounded it, but on subsequent visits, we could tell that others had repeated our discovery. Crypto is something that you MUST do your best to avoid when climbing in this area, though I suppose some sacrifices must be made. We did our best to minimize our impact by establishing trails and never deviating from them.

Getting There 

From the Indian Garden boulders, continue up the wash for about 0.25 miles until you come to a large boulder immediately on the left side of the creekbed (if you are looking upstream). If you look uphill and to the left, you should be able to see a strange, mushroom-shaped rock about fifty or sixty feet above you. Hike to that boulder. Once there, the New Mexico Boulder is only another couple hundred feet. Look for the distinctive sun shape on its northern face (see beta photos).

The Classics

Featured Route For New Mexico Boulder

Shag Carpet V0  CO : Grand Junction area : ... : New Mexico Boulder

This is the main route on the boulder's south face and the easiest route on the entire rock. It is probably a good idea to climb this first and get to know it, because it is also the best way to get off the boulder when you top out from other routes. Sit start and climb the obvious weakness, using a series of cracks as bomber holds....[more]   Browse More Classics in CO

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BETA PHOTO: When you see this rock in the creekbed, turn left ...

BETA PHOTO: From the mushroom rock you will be able to see New...