The Needle  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  10,500' Lat, Long:  35.2276, -106.4589 Map Page Views:  13,264. Good page?    Administrators:  Aaron Hobson, Jason Halladay, Anthony Stout, LeeAB, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Bill Lawry on Nov 17, 2006 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Juan Tabo Canyon is subject to annual access closures from March 1 to August 15. MORE INFO >>> The USFS-imposed closure applies to UNM Spire, the Prow, the Ramp, and the Shield (but not the Knife Edge). The Needle, and its south and east approaches, are unaffected. This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

The Needle about an hour before sunset.

Description 

The Needle is a major feature on the west side of the Sandia Mountains near the north end. Aptly known in the past as The Pyramid, The Needle stands just south of The Shield. The Needle is known for some arduous approaches and long routes. Plan your climbs with care.

As noted above, a periodic avian closure affects some portions of The Needle and nearby areas. The Juan Tabo Canyon page may have a map showing the currently closed areas. Also, check with the Sandia District of Cibola National Forest for the latest details.

Getting There 

Generally speaking, climbs on the south and east sides are initially approached starting from The Crest, hiking to the saddle at the east side of The Needle, and continuing on approach as needed from there; Mick Schein's guide "Sandia Rock" describes this approach for the case of the Southwest Ridge Route. Climbs on the west side may be approached by hiking up the Movie Trail passing to the south of The Prow and then scrambling to the base of the Needle.

Also, visible from Albuquerque is a partially tree-filled ramp that roughly divides the west face of The Needle into an upper and lower half. This ramp is known as Fifth Avenue and may serve as an exit from the lower routes, as an approach to the upper routes, or as an escape from planned outings spanning the west face.

One Way to Descend from the Summit

The Classics

Featured Route For The Needle

Southwest Ridge 5.8 PG13  NM : Sandia Mountains : ... : The Needle

Longest route in the Sandias. Around 1300 vertical feet of climbing after a brutal 2+ hour approach. Plan for 10-15 hours car to car depending on your speed. Take a machete for your approach.[Pitch-by-pitch descriptions below by G.Perkins; numbers coincide with Sandia Rock but I'd recommend linking or shortening pitches as I suggest below]P1: Beginning at the very bottom of the ridge, climb easy cracks to reach a good ledge where the arete steepens. You can also get here by c...[more]   Browse More Classics in NM

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BETA PHOTO: The Needle, west face, from the top of the Prow. ...