The Dungeon is a climbing area, but one need not be a climber to appreciate it. I climbed regularly at this spot nearly twenty years ago, when I was a student at Los Alamos National Lab. But only recently–now that I’m a middle-aged climber and have young kids–have I realized just how special this spot is for local outings. The parking is only five minutes from my office desk, and the hike is only 8 minutes (20-25 with kids). It has water—a beautiful bit of running stream which disappears into the dry streambed shortly after passing straight through the climbing area. The water is too shallow to be dangerous for the kids, so they can play away.
The climbing itself is mostly on a massively overhanging cliff, which provides a large, cool, shadowed area which is pleasant even in mid-summer. Overhanging enough that it provides shelter during a rainstorm. The good climbs start at 5.12, so it’s not for beginner climbers (there is a 5.9 and 5.11 across the stream I believe). Beta for the climbing can be found on Mountain Project. But even ignoring the climbing, I like to hike up there with the kids to play in the stream. It’s enough of an outing for them to have achieved some exercise, but not so much that I have to worry about meltdowns and carrying them back to the car.
A short hike to running water and cool shade close to town is a rarity for Los Alamos–that’s the main draw.
Map:
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LINK that will open in Google Maps app for directions to parking
