Climbing Near Ribera, New Mexico

Limestone bouldering cave near Las Vegas. Basically a grafitti and broken glass covered chossy limestone cave that was transformed into a powerful gymnastic bouldering spot. Maybe not so pretty to look at, but amazing problems and movement. Problems range from v3 to hard v13. Please don't visit if you are offended by reinforced or altered rock, this won't be the place for you. If you just want to climb hard and powerful problems, then you are in luck. A dead body was found here also. Not for the squeamish. A few miles outside Las Vegas, NM. Drive on NM 65 (aka Hot Springs Rd.) toward Montezuma, pass the United World College and the hot springs. Start going up the hill on NM 65 (aka FR 263). At this point you are headed northwest of the springs. Drive for about 8-10 minutes once you pass the hot springs. 0.3 miles past mile marker 8, look for a decent paved pull-out on the right. There may or may not be two trees that have white crosses painted on them. You can see the wall from the parking. Park off the road and walk up the trail.

Beautiful forested canyon lined with large granite cliffs with a nice creek running through it (Beaver Creek). The Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon wildfire of 2022 ravaged the canyon so it is much less beautiful than it was previously. Still, it's a wonderful canyon with an incredible amount of back country climbing potential. The majority of the rock in this canyon lies within the Pecos Wilderness so using the appropriate methods for route development is recommended. See the description for hermits peak. From the campground, a FS trail follows the creek up canyon.

El Porvenir, located in northeastern New Mexico near Las Vegas, is home to Hermit Peak as well as many cliffs bordering the canyon. Climbing here is very undeveloped. Visit the Squat for hard & powerful limestone bouldering. "Hermit Peak is located in northern New Mexico about 20 miles northwest of Las Vegas (NM). From Interstate 25, exit at Las Vegas, highway 65. From Las Vegas, take New Mexico highway 65 (also Forest Service Road 263) west for about 14 miles, passing the little towns of Gallinas and El Porvenir. At about 14 miles the road forks. Right is Hwy 65 (FR 261), Left is FR 263. Turn right on FR 261at the signed fork and head to El Porvenir Campground. (Do not confuse the town of El Porvenir with El Porvenir Campground) The campground is about 3 miles past the fork. It is a paved road all the way to the parking lot. The trailhead is across the bridge into the campground. The Hermit Peak Trail is #223 and has a large sign at the beginning. Another trail, #219, to El Porvenir Canyon begins nearby. Use trail #223 to Hermit Peak. The trailhead is at 7500 feet."