Big Bend Bouldering Area  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  100,999. Good page? (2 likes)    Administrators:  Andrew Gram, Perin Blanchard, grk10vq, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  MIYG on May 12, 2002 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue 90° | 54° 91° | 54° 88° | 52° 86° | 55° 88° | 52°

BETA PHOTO: Big Bend Boulders.

The Word 

When it comes to quality and quantity, in such a small area, it's hard to beat Big Bend. Add the convenience of beautiful riverside camping, zero approach and a dizzying array of other things to do (I hear there's crack climbing), you'll be missing out if you skip over Moab on your next road trip. The best season is October through March but bouldering can be had year round. Be cautioned, however, summers in the desert can be as hot as sin and although winters are generally mild, you'll want to check the forecast as storms do roll through. If you find yourself freezing in Joe's Valley odds are good it will be sunny with crisp temps at Big Bend.

The climbing is generally skin friendly, with great landings and with a few notable exceptions aren't toooo highball. You can certainly have a great time on your own with a single pad. With grades from V0 to V-hard there is truly something for everyone. With that, no Big Bend description is complete without mentioning the grades. Big Bend was established by legends such as John Sherman, Dan Osman and Tom Gilge with local hardmen Noah Bigwood and Eric Decaria putting up some of the hardest test pieces. Raised in a strict local ethic you won't be seeing many of these problems being downgraded, to say the least. This is best exemplified by Circus Trick, probably the hardest V4 on the planet. I have seen many a hardmen and women reduced to tears (literally!) on this stout area test piece. Many of the area's V0's and V1's will feel hard for the grade.

The rock is Wingate Sandstone which can and will break. DO NOT CLIMB ON WET SANDSTONE! Sandstone is very porous and will break much easier when wet. Please allow at least 24 hours to dry and the general rule of thumb is if the ground is wet, the rock is wet. Also, if exploring for new boulders please be careful not to step on Cryptobiotic Soil; don't bust the crust yo!

Please be respectful of the desert, if you have any questions the people at Pagan Mountaineering in Moab usually will have an answer for you.

Getting There 

Heading North out of Moab take Hwy 128 just before you hit the Colorado River. Follow 'River Road' 8.1 miles to a pull off on the right after the Big Bend Campground. It's hard to miss these boulders as they are about 20 feet from the road and an abundance of chalk can easily be seen as you drive past.

The Classics

Featured Route For Big Bend Bouldering Area

Basketball Diaries V5  UT : Moab Area : ... : Army of Darkness Boulder

Sit start on a crimp or sidepull with your left hand and the obvious low hold with your right and traverse right and go up the slightly incut rails. pretty tricky start but i have never seen anyone do it....[more]   Browse More Classics in UT

Photos of Big Bend Bouldering Area Slideshow

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Big Bend My Friend	Kris on unknown problem, block box boulder???	Guy climbing Split Decision in the Big Bend Area.
BETA PHOTO: bouldering...	BETA PHOTO	Big Bend, Moab
Dakota working on something hard at Big Bend.	my buddy bouldering at flat top	Does anyone know the name of this rock and the cli...
More shots from big bend.	Charles Vernon pullin' down.	Geoff on Rampage
Jason on Rampage, spot by Unger and K2.	Starting under the roof on Block Top Boulder...	Unknown arete problem in Big Bend.
Big Bend.	Holly Huecos Batman!	Bouldering at Big Bend
Cold day at Big Bend Photo by: Tyler Youngwerth	flat top	These huecos are perfectly suited for a death grip...
photo by: Tyler Youngwerth	BETA PHOTO: Block Top Boulder V5 Crimpalicous Me working on it	Camping at Big Bend. Photo by Jason Urasky
My pregnant "bun head".