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Elevation: 9,356 ft
GPS: 35.2223, -106.4556
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 51,343 total · 254/month
Shared By: Bill Lawry on Aug 1, 2007
Admins: Jason Halladay, Mike Hoskins, Anna Brown

Description Suggest change

Roughly, Pinnacle Valley lies west of the Sandia Crest between The Needle to the north and Chimney Canyon to the south. Established climbing areas within Pinnacle Valley include from north to south: The Anvil, Wildflower Wall, The Watchtower, The Tombstone, and The Knifeblade. Many of the climbing areas are on west facing rock and so tend to be shady until mid-day.

Getting There Suggest change

In most cases, the shortest approach begins by heading north from the Crest parking lot and communication towers along the North Crest Trail. Another beginning is at a dirt pullover on the east side of the highway just below the tower complex, then head up hill to the North Crest Trail.

In about 1/4 of a mile north of the communication tower complex, the main trail arrives at the ridge top at a kind of junction of trails. At this point there will be a gray sign for the North Crest Trail. In the direction one just came from, the sign indicates 1/2 mile to Highway 532. To the north, it indicates 1.5 miles to Del Agua Overlook. At this point there is also a vague trail heading south and up hill that is blocked by four short posts near a loose sign stating "Electrical Site Ahead." Other minor trails head off to the west from here.

Continue north on the North Crest Trail for another ~50 yards to a fairly open view down the west side of the ridge top. This looks down into Pinnacle Valley and is very near the descent to Tombstone. For other climbing routes in Pinnacle Valley, the point at which one leaves the ridge and descends west depends on the destination.

36 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Pinnacle Valley

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 26
West Face Traverse
Trad 2 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 35
West Face Direct
Trad 2 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 41
Seventh Sojourn
Trad, Alpine 4 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 9
Freedom of the Bills
Trad 5 pitches
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 11
Good to the Last Drop
Trad 7 pitches
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 4
Hammer Time
Trad
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 13
Excalibur
Trad, Alpine 3 pitches
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 5
Fistful of Steel
Trad 2 pitches
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a PG13
 6
Watchman's Secret
Trad, Alpine 3 pitches
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b PG13
 4
Cry for Merlin
Trad, Sport, Alpine 2 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
West Face Traverse Tombstone
 26
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a Trad 2 pitches
West Face Direct Tombstone
 35
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 2 pitches
Seventh Sojourn WatchTower
 41
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad, Alpine 4 pitches
Freedom of the Bills Hidden Wall
 9
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 5 pitches
Good to the Last Drop Hidden Wall
 11
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad 7 pitches
Hammer Time Anvil
 4
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
Excalibur WatchTower
 13
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad, Alpine 3 pitches
Fistful of Steel Anvil
 5
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad 2 pitches
Watchman's Secret WatchTower
 6
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a PG13 Trad, Alpine 3 pitches
Cry for Merlin WatchTower
 4
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b PG13 Trad, Sport, Alpine 2 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Pinnacle Valley »

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