Caution: I've had several groups e-mail me recently that Elephant Butte had very challenging climbing sections. In all cases, it was raining or had rained the day they visited and the sandstone was wet. Not recommended if the weather is threatening, there is snow on the ground, or the ground is wet from recent rain! Even a little precipitation will make the climbing much more difficult. The rule for climbing on sandstone is to make sure the rock is 100% dry before climbing. Sandstone is fragile. At best climbing it wet will make it more difficult. At worst, anchors can fail in the weaker wet sandstone and holds can break permanently changing routes.