The Solstice Rock Climbing
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Elevation: | 3,780 ft |
GPS: |
37.0286, -113.864 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
Page Views: | 21,939 total · 119/month |
Shared By: | Perin Blanchard on Feb 17, 2009 |
Admins: | Andrew Gram, Nathan Fisher, Perin Blanchard, GRK, D C |
Description
South-facing, The Solstice is a great winter sport crag, particularly for moderate routes. The majority of the routes here are in the 5.9 to 5.10 range, with a handful of .11s and one specimen each of 5.6 and 5.7.
The rock is limestone (Kaibab, according to Goss) with amazing texture due to exposed chert knobs and edges in a wild variety of sizes and shapes. There is also an abundance of single-finger pockets, with the occasional larger pocket appearing here and there.
The whole crag starts out lower-angled and gently curves upward, getting steeper as it goes. There is a gentle bulge in the middle section, through which the harder routes travel. The raspy texture makes the lower-angled sections a bit nerve-wracking, but the routes are closely bolted, enabling you to keep at bay the fears of a geological flaying.
The rock is limestone (Kaibab, according to Goss) with amazing texture due to exposed chert knobs and edges in a wild variety of sizes and shapes. There is also an abundance of single-finger pockets, with the occasional larger pocket appearing here and there.
The whole crag starts out lower-angled and gently curves upward, getting steeper as it goes. There is a gentle bulge in the middle section, through which the harder routes travel. The raspy texture makes the lower-angled sections a bit nerve-wracking, but the routes are closely bolted, enabling you to keep at bay the fears of a geological flaying.
Getting There
From the Woodbury Road turnoff travel 2.8 miles to a dirt road on the left (2.9 miles, according to Rock Climbs of Southwest Utah & The Arizona Strip, Second Edition). Goss describes crossing two cattle guards; there are actually three; the guidebook apparently doesn't count the guard immediately off the highway. In any event, after crossing the third cattle guard, take the third dirt road on the left.
With 4WD, or a high-clearance 2WD, travel a quarter-mile or so to an obvious parking area near a wildlife cistern (You could drive another two hundred yards with an appropriate vehicle). In a standard passenger vehicle, you'll probably want to walk over the rough section.
From the parking area, follow the road uphill towards the crag. When the road ends, continue on the faint trail until a low cairn marks the start of a switchbacking trail, marked occasionally with cairns, that leads to the base of the wall.
With 4WD, or a high-clearance 2WD, travel a quarter-mile or so to an obvious parking area near a wildlife cistern (You could drive another two hundred yards with an appropriate vehicle). In a standard passenger vehicle, you'll probably want to walk over the rough section.
From the parking area, follow the road uphill towards the crag. When the road ends, continue on the faint trail until a low cairn marks the start of a switchbacking trail, marked occasionally with cairns, that leads to the base of the wall.
Classic Climbing Routes at The Solstice
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
Weather Averages
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