Red Rocks NV
With steep, moderate routes, cracks which eat up pro, and tightly bolted face pitches, many long routes at Red Rocks give you high adventure without the runouts so common in many areas. Varnished edges, incut jugs, splitter cracks, technical faces—Red Rocks multi-pitch routes have it all. Bolted anchors on popular routes quicken the pace and allow easy retreat. Red Rocks multi-pitch climbs are just downright fun, but that's only half the story. The canyons of the Red Rocks are blissfully free of traffic noise and the reminders of civilization, and desert bighorn easily outnumber hikers. As you get back in the canyons, you realize the awesome scale of the 3000-foot sandstone escarpment, and how even the very long routes rarely tackle more than half of a wall's relief. During the daytime, Las Vegas remains thankfully hidden away, and only at night, with the glow of casinos on the skyline, do you realize just how close Red Rocks is to Sin City. Yet the huge and rapidly expanding Las Vegas, if not one of the attractions, is one of the main conveniences of climbing at Red Rocks. Cheap airfare, endless neon nightlife, restaurants, coffee shops, supermarkets, libraries, and the infamous Strip—all are only a few minutes away. Even more convenient than the city is the plethora of sport climbing, bouldering, and short trad routes that bring many climbers to Red Rocks in the first place. And with the development of hundreds of sport routes on the limestone in the area, climbers are no longer limited to the often overcrowded, but excellent, sport crags at the start of the Red Rocks loop road. All told, the multi-pitch classics of Red Rocks are uniquely accessible, relatively low on the commitment scale, and undeniably high on the pure climbing fun scale!
Here are a list of easy great climbs to do at Red Rocks. For more information please check out www.supertop.com
Cat in the Hat, Heavy Spider Karma, Lazy Buttress, Schaeffer's Delight, Ragged Edges, Lotta Balls, Mescalito North and Black Orpheus
Bouldering
Fun bouldering abounds at Red Rocks. Ask at Desert Rock Sports for detailed beta on where to go. The Craft Boulders in Calico Basin located off of Highway 159 are popular. There are some mellow, but good boulders at the Willow Springs Area—you can't miss them as they are right in front of the second parking area and the hoards of tourists.
When to Climb
The longer routes at Red Rocks are in the canyons and are usually too cold in the dead of winter. The best seasons are fall and spring, although south-facing routes are sometimes too hot (and therefore climbed even in midwinter). Current weather should be monitored, as cold or hot spells can change your plans. Even in warmer spring and fall periods, cold storms happen regularly, and the sport, short trad, and bouldering areas of Calico Basin are often perfect when the canyons are stormy or drying out after a storm. Several local limestone areas are also perfect alternatives, and for truly desperate days, Red Rock Climbing Center (next to Desert Rock Sports) offers indoor overhung leads and hot showers. June through August are usually so hot that no one dares climb even in the coldest canyons, and air temperatures well above 100 degrees are common.
Camping and Hotels
The only campground, the BLM 13 Mile Campground, is located on West Charleston (Route 159), 0.5 miles from Calico Basin Road. It has over 70 sites but it is difficult to find a spot in prime season. Drive slow in and around the campground: speed traps and speeding tickets are common. These are often reserved half a year in advance for peak times. Call the Visitor Center at 702-515-5371. If full, you can drive about 25 miles to Lovell Canyon where there is free camping with no facilities. From the junction of Highway 160 and 159, drive west on 160 for 12.6 miles and turn right on Lovell Canyon Road (which is about 5 miles past Mountain Springs Summit).
Vegas hotels or a long drive to the west to find a camping spot are the only options. If you can sleep in your car, the back lots of many large casinos are usually hassle free. It is illegal to camp at the trailhead for Black Velvet Canyon or anywhere in that area.
Food
There are endless restaurant options all over the place in Las Vegas—the main concentrations of eateries near Red Rocks are along Charleston and Sahara, and Rainbow which runs perpendicular to the two.
There is a Trader Joe's at 7575 W Washington Ave and 2101 S Decatur Blvd. There is a Whole Foods with WiFi at 8855 W Charleston Blvd Several brand-new large grocery stores are on Charleston near Red Rocks. By the time you read this there will be even more so take your pick. There is a Starbucks inside every one, and there is a Starbucks outside in the strip mall in front of every one as well. We are not joking. At the intersection of 159 and 160 near Blue Diamond (on the way out to Black Velvet Canyon from the campground) is a Rebel Gas Station with an OK selection of food and supplies.
Rest Days
The human zoo of Las Vegas, especially the Strip, must be viewed at night. Roller coasters, pirate shows, fountains, and endless extravagantly decorated casinos, it reminds you of a modern version of the orgies of the Roman Empire in its heyday.
Special thanks to Chris McNamara and Supertopo for this information
For more information and topos on Red Rocks check out their site
www.supertopo.com
Info
Directions
Car Travel Red Rocks is just west of Las Vegas and can be accessed from various points in Vegas, and from Highway 160 from the Death Valley area. From almost any direction it's fastest to take the main Interstate highways into the city, although on weekends the traffic from LA can actually have endless traffic jams across the desert from the west (a LOT of people gamble). Despite what you'd expect from a map, if driving from the Bishop area it's actually much faster to take Highway 168 from Big Pine across Westgard Pass into Nevada, then down Highway 95. However, the views through Death Valley National Park, especially in late fall, winter, or early spring, are definitely worth seeing, and many people will want to spend some time viewing the Park.
Air Travel Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport is one of the easiest, and cheapest, places to fly to in the world. However, huge conventions sometimes clog the airlines, drive prices through the roof, and fill up every hotel room. Plan ahead.
Loop Road Climbs accessed from the Loop Road have very limited parking hours. If you are staying after hours, and wish to avoid a $120 fine, call the late exit number 702-515-5050, where you must give detailed information on your car, the number of people, the route you're climbing, and emergency contacts. Late exit passes are only available for long routes in the canyons—not for sport climbing, bouldering, or hiking. Don't try to abuse the system. You WILL get fined, every time, for being in after closing with no pass (although it takes them a while to work around to the end of the loop). The pass only allows a few extra hours, and if you are still not out, you can get fined even with the late exit pass.
292 have climbed @ Red Rocks
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Authority sites on Red Rocks NV
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Climbing activity
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I recently got into climbing in Utah, and love it. I'm new to the sport but go quite often, indoor and outdoor. I can top rope through 5.10's and lead up to 5.9's. I've just moved to Henderson and am looking for a climbing partner.
- Andon Ivanov Donev - Hi Jillian, I`ve been climbing for a year, years ago and I`m looking for a climbing partner too. I always have days of on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. Talk to you later and have fun out there :)
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Is it insane to climb in Red Rocks in July? If not, I'll be in town on the 16th/17th and would love to have someone show me the ropes. New sport climber; willing to climb trad but have no exp there. Excellent at following instructions and buying beer.
- Jillian Gleave - actually sunday would be better for me, and anytime on sunday. or just let me know when works for you.
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Anyone available to climb today? I climb up to 5.10a sport; lead to a 5.8+/5.9 range. I can follow trad (would need a rope gun) Would love to hit outside in this gorgeous weather. Please e-mail me at mdkyu12@gmail.com if you're interested~ Thx
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Experienced Trad Climber. Have all gear.
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I am heading to Vegas in may and would love to try out Red Rocks. I am a decent sports climber (leading up to 7a or so) and a learning trad climber, and would consider both options. I have a pretty small window btw sunday 9th and 10th of may.
- Andon Ivanov Donev - Hi :) So, are you available at 9th, Sunday? I always have a day off on Sunday :)
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Cathy McDonald-Smith 106 days ago
climbing Fri 16 Apr @
Red Rocks NV
Comment/Reply - Msg Cathy McDonald-SmithExperienced climber. Both trad and sport. Gets to Red Rocks when I can and looking to do multi-pitch routes there. Have done a few. Check out Mountain Project for more info and pics there.
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Looking for a partner for Cloud Tower or Texas Hold 'Em in Red Rock- also available on Sunday.
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I'll be travelling out to Las Vegas the weekend of 5/1 and am looking for a sport or trad partner. I climb in the 5.8 range for both. I can lead sport but I can only follow and clean for trad.
Please let me know if you want to partner up.
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hi! will be traveling to red rocks for some climbing 4/23-4/25. looking for a partner for a day or wknd of sport climbing. i climb 5.10b-d but can belay 5.14d :) have rope, draws, slings and a friendly smile.
best
tim
timguffin@gmail.com
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Catherine Gallagher 115 days ago
climbing Fri 09 Apr @Red Rocks NV
Comment/Reply - Msg Catherine GallagherHi, am heading to red rocks over the next couple of days and will be there over the weekend. Have car, draws, 60 meter rope. Get in touch if you're around and up for some climbing.
- Chris Prince - Catherine, My friends and I are heading out of town Friday afternoon, but will be climbing from morning until we leave (whenever that is) if you want a small group to climb with. Chris
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I'm a photographer, climber, swimmer, yoga practitioner; want to find a regular climbing partner, get outdoors more, improve tons, and make it happen! Am easy going, funny, intelligent, alive.
- Andon Ivanov Donev - Hi, I haven`t climb for a long time, because I don`t know anybody that is doing that, but I`m interesting of it :) I`m always available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, but sometimes I work those days.
- Andon Ivanov Donev - I like also photography and everything around the mountains. Do you live in Las Vegas :)
- beth witrogen - Hi Andon -- I was having trouble finding my local gym on here -- I live in the SF Bay Area, and that's where I was looking for a partner. Would love to get outdoors tons more though, but I don't lead climb. Where are you? Probably not near me lol ...
- Andon Ivanov Donev - I live in Las Veges, and I`ve been in San Francisco several times, nice place :)
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Looking to climb 4th-8th of April. maybe having a rest day in there. have a limited rack including plenty of draws, rope, will rent a car. long moderates preferred. 5.7-5.9 sport. please shoot me an email: zink(dot)christopher(at)gmail(dot) com
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Moderate Climber (5.12s' sport 5.10s' trad) looking for single pitch sport and trad climbing parnters in Red Rocks March 17-27 2010
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Need a climbing partner for redrocks 3/20-3/22. Wana fly in late the 19th, leave late the 22nd. Probably 2 days of trad, maybe 1 sport. Epinephrine is my main goal. After that its all just icing. I lead .9 trad (and light .10a).
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i'll be in red rocks the wknd of march 6th and looking for anyone that would like to sport climb. i'm a 10b/c lead and can follow up to 10d/11a i've never been to RR so if you have any local knowledge that would be sweet, but not necessary.
tim
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In Red Rocks for a few days Feb. 22 - 25. Looking to climb some longer routes up to 5.11. Have rack, rope and car. Email me at runout510 @ gmail.com.
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sean 170 days ago
Looking for climbers @Red River Gorge, Red Rocks, Fosters, Ozarks, the obed, King's Bluff
ReplyWill be in Red Rock Canyon for most of Mar and Apr.I am looking for partners to climb with during this time period. Will mostly be climbing sport(all grades but am mainly interested in in the 12's and 13's)Some trad. Camping at BLM or wherever I can park.
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I am planning to be in the St. George and Red Rocks area to climb weather and available climbing partner permitting. I'm on my way to mexico and my dates are flexible. I would love to climb for a week before heading south!
- victor alba - hey what about today!! where in mexico are you going, i'm mexican and i can give you good advices or contacts.
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I've been climbing for a while: trad, sport, ice, mountaineering at various level of ability. Looking to get out and have fun on the rock.
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Alexander Rosenberg 377 days ago
Looking for climbers @Red Rocks, Tahoe, Castle Rock State Park, Pinnacles, Stoney Point, Indian Rock
ReplyI have all the gear, looking to do some leading/toproping 5.10-5.11
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i am up for climbing any weekend really at the gunks! (lead, tr, boulder...)
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anybody interested in roping up this week either at RR or Charleston? dont care much which.
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Climbing greats talking about dodgy gear and great climbs in Red Rocks.
Really worth seeing!
Check out the website www.rockadventuremovie.com!
- Eugene Ray - Why is it "Red Rocks" while the official name is "Red Rock Canyon".
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Im on a road trip by my self, in the area of red rocks, would like climb.
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Jonathon Kresner 483 days ago
Looking for climbers @Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Front Range, Mt Lemmon, Red Rocks
ReplyWe're on a road trip around the states and would love to lead climb outdoors with some USA Climbfindian's please drop us a line and introduce yourselves.
Jonathon & Kev
