Routes : North America : United States : New Mexico : Albuquerque Area : Sandia Mountains : The Needle
The Needle
About The Needle:
| Just south of the shield stands the proud formation of the needle. |
| Approach: | Best approach is from the Crest. Hike south from the parking area by the Towers along the ridge trail until you are at the high point looking down on the East Ridge of the Needle. Work your way down through the limestone bands just to the south of this high point (some route finding and 4th class scrambling). Dump any excess gear at the East Ridge saddle between the Crest and the Needle and make your way down the gully that flanks the south side of the needle. The trail is almost non-existent but tales of massive bushwacking are exaggerated (especially to those who have bushwacked). The gully has some thorny bushes so pants and longsleeves are recommended. Stay to the south side against the wall that faces the Needle for the gully down until the gully narrows into a drainage. Follow the drainage until you work your way through an Aspen grove. At the end of the is grove head North and truely buswack to the base of the route. |
| Approach Time: | 1.5 - 2 hours |
| Latitude, Longitude: | |
| Access Issues: | |
| Rock Type: | Granite |
| Type of Climbing: | Trad |
| Sun Aspect: | All Day Sun |
Routes
Sequence Sequence numbers indicate the left (L) to right (R) order of the routes. |
Rating | Route | Difficulty | Ascents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 |
|
Southwest Ridge (10) | 5.8 | 4 |
Topo Images
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