Los Alamos Canyon

Description 

A selection of climbs can be found in Los Alamos Canyon, just south of the town of Los Alamos.

The Hospital Crag, which is located downhill just south of the medical center, hosts a handful of sport climbs on rhyolitic tuff and sees midday summer sun. An online guide is found here: http://lamountaineers.org/pdf/Hospital_Crag.pdf
(This is surprising since this crag is nearly on DOE property and, if so, taking unauthorized photos is technically prohibited.)

20 or more short sport climbs on rhyolite formerly existed in the vicinity of Los Alamos Reservoir, however, this area has been closed to visitation following the fire in 2000, and the hangers are almost certainly not there. It is hopeful that this area will be re-opened to public access in the near future. Sneaking in is probably a poor decision.

It's probably too cold for rock climbing in Los Alamos Canyon in the winter, a fact that is reinforced by its hosting the largest outdoor ice rink in New Mexico.

Getting There 

From the town of Los Alamos, head toward the bridge to LANL property. Just before the bridge, take a right on West Rd. to drop into the Canyon; go past the ice rink, before the road goes up the south side of the canyon is the turn-off to the reservoir (gated). The Hospital Crag is more readily accessed by parking behind the medical center and hiking down.

The Classics