Jean DeLataillade on an early ascent of Izimbra, 1...
Description
This crag features about 20 routes, mostly 5.12s and two 5.13s. There are a few trad lines here that are in the 5.11 range, but mostly this is a hardman's area. Unlike the Mesa, there is no shade at this crag once the sun hits, so get there early or in the dead of winter.
Getting There
This crag is up the road about half a mile from Cochiti Mesa. It can be a bit hard to find. Continue past the Mesa parking. After a few hundred yards an obvious view point appears on the left (Vista Point Overlook). Stop and enjoy the view, then get back in your car and continue .5 miles up the road. Park near a large dead tree, and scramble down the left side of the road to the cliff. It will probably take a couple of tries to find this place, but it's only about 2 minutes from the road.
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Cacti Cliff:
The hardest route at Cacti, Izimbra is long, sustained and pumpy. Not especially tweaky, this route will test your stamina on thin 2-finger pockets. There is one hold (Left Hand) that could be used as a mono, though its possible to cram 2 fingers in.The route begins in a leaning dihedral, which soon kicks you out onto an overhanging wall. Powerful, shouldery, un-Cochiti-like moves on large slopers lead to a decent rest just before the crux sec...[more]Browse More Classics in NM
By Monomaniac Administrator From: Morrison, CO Dec 4, 2006
The "trail" to Cacti Cliff has recently been upgraded. Much of the foliage has been cut back, and the trail is now marked with pink flagging. The start of the trail is still very hard to find, however. Continue from the Vista Point overlook, through the gate, and up a slight inlcine. Once the road levels out, look for a large dead tree lying on its side on the left. This is the spot. Local rednecks have been slowly harvesting this dead tree for firewood, so who knows how long this landmark will last. Anyway, hike in a perpendicular direction from the road (on the left, SW side) just to the North of this dead tree. Within 50 feet of the road you should see some pink flagging.
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