BETA PHOTO: Miner's Crag as seen from The river. Ah-Ah is the...
Description
Secluded Sport and Trad crack climbing on the West Side of the Rio Grande Gorge North of John Dunn Bridge. This is a "funky" area, some people have raved about the climbing here, while others have walked away disgusted. The cliff is scary looking with many fractures.The climbing is well featured with lots of flat edges,crimps and cracks on mostly vertical to slightly overhanging basalt. The routes tend to be close together and short. Although a few routes are now 30 meters. The sport routes are well equipped and climb steep faces and aretes. The trad routes follow cracks in faces and corners. Although there is typically ample pro the rock tends to be jagged and can be hollow in some spots. EXPECT TRICKY GEAR PLACEMENTS! This area is still in its infancy. Watch out for loose and or hollow rock. Look for small rocks at base of each climb labeled with grade.
Getting There
From the John Dunn Bridge Area described in Jay Foley's guide book Taos Rock follow road up switch backs to the west rim above John Dunn Bridge. Turn right (North) on well maintained road (Montoso Rd.?) towards houses. Continue on this road for 1.6 miles. Now stay right past last house onto two track (high clearance/4WD if wet). Continue 2.5 miles stay right at final fork and park at Miner's trail head. Note: Don't get caught in a rainstorm here. If you do it may be wise to wait until road dries before trying to drive out. Check out ariel view above for Google maps.
From some locations such as Tres Piedras it may be better to approach this crag from NM highway 64: Turn North at mile marker 236 toward Chiflo Mountain. Pass over cattle guard and continue on this road for 3.7 miles. Now turn left (North) and follow directions above from Montoso Rd.
From parking: Do not go down the Miner's Trail. Walk back Southeast on two track (closed to vehicles). Look for faint cairned climber's trail on your left at first rock outcrops (about 1/4 mile).
Then follow cairns down into Rio Grande Gorge (about 10 minutes) and eventually traverse right through loose "shale trail" at base of cliff for about 5 more minutes. Beware this trail has a few loose exposed sections. The cliff sits about midway between the rim and the river. About 20 steep minutes from car.
Click on "Aerial photo/map" link above for approximate locale.
Great Camping, Mountain Biking, Hiking abound. The Class II whitewater run from Miner's trail to John Dunn Bridge (Middle Box) is a nice casual paddle with one real rapid at "Horsethief Shorty".
Power and balance up small holds and arete slapping to a rest on the arete. Finish up steeper rock with long moves on good holds. Expect a crux in the beginning and end! ...[more]Browse More Classics in NM
Sweet Jay. 40+ routes. whoed ah thunk.. Nice job everyone. I think this place is fun.
By George Perkins Administrator From: Los Alamos, NM Mar 20, 2009
Thanks for discovering, developing, and sharing another excellent Taos Gorge area!
Miner's is a great place to spend a day, and could become popular with lots of fun 5.8-5.10 cracks and 5.9-5.12 bolted faces and aretes. There's still some loose rock (it has more loose rock than Dead Cholla, Utopian Vistas, or Vista Verde IMO), but with more traffic it should clean up nicely.
What a wonderful setting, with the roaring river, the mountain views, and the wildlife.
Ordering the routes was really helpful for us, and all the info seemed right on; we really appreciated that.
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