I am trying to figure out a few options for a climbing trip in late December/early January. I'm willing to go anywhere in North Amercica. Tips? Suggestions? Hot spots?

Thanks,
Mike

El Potrero Chico

Joshua Tree
Cochise Stronghold

Both are awesome areas. Keep in mind that either area could be basking in sunshine or freezing cold that time of year.

also:

Hueco
Bishop
Red Rocks
Horse Pens

Wow, the southerners must've not seen this post yet. Having not been to some of the other places listed, the Tennessee Wall has got to be in the running for best winter crag anywhere. Amazing trad cragging. Winter is prime season for this place.

Shelf Road

Since this post is in "Sport Climbing" I'll avoid seconding Joshua Tree as a previous poster mentioned (but for God's sake, put down the QD's, buy yourself a rack, and get yourself to J-Tree this winter. Its amazing.) I will however give a second recommendation on Red Rocks. Tons of sport routes, beautiful scenery, decent bouldering, and killer trad if that's your thing.

Queen Creek AZ. Thousands of sport routes, and usually nice weather in winter. Get there before the copper barons close it off completely.

3rd'ing El potrero... was there Xmas to mid jan last year.. 60-80 deg every day... insane amount of bolts there... beautiful 10+ pitch 5.10's, awesome 11's, and 12s (though not much stuff >12 if that's your thing), tons of great, varied-style climbing from overhangs to slab.. not to mention the food, parties and culture.... local markets tuesdays and fridays (perfect for rest days!).. could eat for like 15 bucks a week if you cooked!

most busy time youll see is the week between Xmas and new years.. so def make camping reservations... highly recommend spending more than a week due to the gigantic nature of the place.

Happy to give any beta on getting there, lodging, etc!

4thing the Potrero. Was also there the same time as Eric (Did we hang out at all?). Kind of a madhouse until late January, then folks started ushering back to there lives elsewhere. Check out El Salto (youll hear about it while in Potrero no doubt). I hear El Gigante is pretty rad in the Baja. Goto the American Alpine Journal site and do a quick search on Mexico to find some good articles.

T Wall is awesome too, but not as massive as Potrero. Only single pitch stuff really. Good luck.

Thanks a lot, great response from the community on here. I am still undecided, but knowing that Joshua Tree is more of a trad destination helps a lot. I was originally considering that as my #1 choice. Guess i'll have to wait until next year when I'll have a rack :) Until then i suppose El Potrero or Red Rocks are great options...
Feel free to keep up the suggestions and tips I'm sure I'm not the only one who could use some more recommendations on winter climbing spots.

I don't know if you'll be driving or what the transportation situation is but if you wanted to you can always head to the southwest desert and just go wherever the weather is best. J-Tree and Vegas are only about 5 hrs drive time apart and there's a lot of little local spots out that way.
If you wanted some bouldering and the winter isn't too intense I've had some good days right around new years in the happy's and the buttermilks. Bishop is a beautiful place to spend some time and is an easy half day drive from vegas. But if you're after the sport climbing, I'd say go w/ Potrero or the Vegas area.
I hope that the weather is good for the road trip. Cheers, BA

5th on Potrero. Climb with the lizards.

If you don't want the hassle of driving across the border, I hear Continental Ranch is relatively untapped. Wha...? Where? It's on the confluence of the Rio Grande and Pecos Rivers.

www.pecosriverrockclimbing.com/climbing.html#topos

www.rock-about.com/packages.htm

Load yer six shooter with bolts.

If you are road tripping it, Continental Ranch is a worthy stop. But Potrero is the better destination for out of state people.

Canada........Quebec is really nice in the winter.
Newfoundland is even better.........