El Potrero Chico is an internationally renowned rock climbing area in the Mexican state of Nuevo León, 3 km outside the town of Hidalgo. Long a destination for rock-climbers from around the world, Climbers from Austin, Texas, notably, Jeff Jackson, Kevin Gallahger, and Alex Catlin, along with Colorado climber/raver Kurt Smith started developing the area back in the 1990s. Development continued in the 21st century, notably by first accentionists Alex Catlin, Ed Wright, and Dane Bass. Many climbers have attempted to build bridges with the local community, but there remains much work to be done. The climbs are mostly situated in a canyon at the entrance of the park, while the interior offers undeveloped mountain terrain with lots of good mountain biking, ranging from very easy to expert routes.
El Potrero draws many climbers from throughout Mexico. It is considered one of the top 10 locations to sport climb in the world. In addition to well over 500 routes, the area boasts the second longest sport route in North America, Timewave Zero, ringing in at 23 pitches and over 2000 feet. New routes are continually being developed. There is a large range of different climbs, most of them in the 5.8 to 5.13 grade. The type of climbing can range from steep overhanging face to easy slab. The rock is usually quite sharp.
El Potrero is a unique geological formation of limestone cliffs, some as high as 2000 feet. The eventual status of the land uncertain. Much of the area is a "protected zone" (NOT a national park), a legal classification of little actual consequence. This lack of consequence, is born out by the amount of deliberate damage that has been caused to these superb cliffs and crags by the drilling of, prior to the insertion of expansion bolts into the rock. After the Mexican Revolution of 1910, the land within the park was divided amongst the townspeople as per the ejido system. This means that the town ejido commission currently owns and controls 99% of the climbing.
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Las Estrellas: Located on the east side of the main canyon. 5.9 to 5.12. Mostly single pitch climbs.
Club Mex:
Mini super Wall: Directly across from the Central Scrutinizer Wall. The first handful of climbs encountered here are good warm up routes ranging from 5.8 to 5.9+. The route El Volvo Scorcho (5.9 and requires 9 quickdraws) is named after the car accident that almost killed the first ascentionist, Dane Bass.
Mota Wall: One of the most popular walls located on the Lower Sense of Religion. Mota Wall houses many of the classic climbs at El Potrero such as La Vaca and Double Cherry Pie. Easily accessed area. Lots of easy to medium range climbs.
Mileski Wall: Above the Mota Wall. Hard overhanging climbs.
The spires: Very popular areas. Two rock horns about 200' tall on the west side of the canyon.
Outrage Wall: Lots of beautiful climbs in the mid 10s to 12 range.
The Surf: 15 minutes walk from the spires, hard overhanging from 5.12a to 5.13b.
Central Srutinizer, Virgin canyon: West of the canyon.
El Sendero Luminoso: This area is found before entering the main canyon, on the west side. It is where the climb El Sendero Luminoso a long difficult route with 10 pitches of 5.12, is situated (15 pitches).
Wonder Wall: This new wall is located inside the swimming pool complex. These routes are up the stairs by the B-BQ grills. They range from 5.6 to 5.11b, but most routes are in the 9 and 10 range.
The temperature can vary quite a lot from day to day and from sunny to shady areas. During the summer months however, it is recommended to climb in the shade only. Due to the shape of the canyon, the weather outside may be cloudy and raining, but sunny inside the potrero. It is always possible to find a shady area. In the winter months, the usually daily high is about 18 degrees Celsius (64 F) yet some days it can reach close to 25 C (77 F). The low is usually about 5-10 degrees (41-50 F) but snow is always possible.
Yankee Clipper - 15 Pitches (5.8 to 5.12c)
Snott Girlz - 7 Pitches (5.9 to 5.10+)
Timewave Zero - 23 Pitches (5.7 to 5.12)
Pancho Villa Rides Again - 5 Pitches (5.9 to 5.11d)
Treasure of Sierra Madre - 7 Pitches (5.7 to 5.10c)
Estrellita - 12 Pitches (5.7 to 5.10b)
Agua De Coco - 3 Pitches (5.10a to 5.10d)
Black Cat Bone - 9 Pitches (5.6 to 5.10d)
Space Boyz - 11 Pitches (5.8 to 5.10d)
The Devil's Tongue - 3 pitches (5.9 to 5.12a)
Access Denied - 4 Pitches (5.9 to 5.10c)
Dope Ninja - 6 Pitches (5.6 to 5.10)
There are quite a few campgrounds/ranches just outside the park. Free camping is also available in the park. Most of the campgrounds also offer rooms for rent and there are several rental houses in the area.