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Elevation: 4,917 ft
GPS: 40.6193, -111.789
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
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Shared By: Eric Jacobsen on May 6, 2003 · Updates
Admins: Andrew Gram, Nathan Fisher, Perin Blanchard, GRK, D C

Description Suggest change

Of the two Cottonwood canyons, BCC is the lesser-known, despite its amazing climbing. There are hundreds of routes on dozens of crags scattered throughout the length and on either side of the canyon.

Climbing is primarily on quartzite, which tends to be slippery and hard; however, the quartzite also offers numerous holds jutting out at all angles. Because protection may be more difficult in quartzite than in the granite of LCC, BCC has more sport routes than LCC, but the majority of BCC routes are trad climbs.

Some of the picnic areas have entrance fees.

SLCA Annual Fundraiser Suggest change

JOIN US FOR OUR 9TH ANNUAL SALT LAKE CLIMBING FESTIVAL!

Presented by Black Diamond and Momentum Climbing 

August 27-28th, Solitude Mtn Resort (Moonbeam Parking Lot) 

Tickets: saltlakeclimbingfestival.com

 

CELEBRATE OUR COMMUNITY. ELEVATE YOUR CLIMBING SKILLS.

A weekend of skills based climbing clinics and festivities brought to you by the Salt Lake Climbers Alliance and fueled by our local guide outfitters, artists, and outdoor industry partners.

 

ALL PROCEEDS FROM THIS EVENT GO BACK TO STEWARDSHIP OF WASATCH CRAGS.

Set in our own beautiful backyard of the Wasatch Front, there are skills-based climbing clinics for both beginner and seasoned climbers. Clinics will run in single and two-day formats, with our base camp, dinner and festivities held at Brighton Ski Resort. 

 

Saturday night only tickets that include dinner, activities, live music, and drinks are also available. For ages 14+ we welcome all ability levels and identities to learn and grow with us as our local climbing community blossoms. 

Be sure to invite your friends! 

Ice Climbing

Suggest change
There are a handful of ice routes in Big Cottonwood. Almost all of them are on the north side of the canyon and receive a lot of sunlight so they don't often come in really fat.

When the lines do come in, however, it makes for some enjoyable climbing. Probably not recommended for beginners because the routes are mostly thin, but during a fat year one can find an occasional short climb with top rope potential.

BCC ice generally comes in late and leaves early.

Getting There

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Big Cottonwood Canyon climbs east out of Salt Lake City at about 7200 South. From the north, take the I-215 loop to Exit 6, the 6200 South exit.

Head east on Hwy 190, following signs to the ski areas of BCC (Solitude and Brighton). Turn left on Fort Union Blvd, which heads up into the canyon.

From the west, 7200 South becomes Fort Union. From the south, follow Wasatch Blvd and turn right on Fort Union.

1,016 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Big Cottonwood Canyon Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Big Cottonwood Canyon

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V6 7A
 39
Orange Crush
Boulder
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 714
Steorts' Ridge
Trad 3 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 705
Outside Corner
Trad 3 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 673
Hollow Man
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 293
Crescendo
Trad 4 pitches
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 135
High Dive
Trad 2 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 101
Social Engineering
Trad
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 305
Better than Bitter
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 471
Goodro's Wall
Trad
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 108
Eternal Flow
Sport 2 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 383
Black Monday
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 64
Force of Nature
Trad
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 17
Gnarth Brooks Direct
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 24
Karmic Whiplash
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 18
Cross-Eyed and Painless
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Orange Crush Brighton Area > Brighton Boulders > Millie Boulder
 39
V6 7A Boulder
Steorts' Ridge Dead Snag
 714
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad 3 pitches
Outside Corner JHCOB Wall
 705
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad 3 pitches
Hollow Man Challenge Buttress > N & W Faces
 673
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Crescendo JHCOB Wall
 293
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 4 pitches
High Dive Glass Ocean & Environs
 135
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad 2 pitches
Social Engineering Dead Snag
 101
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Better than Bitter Challenge Buttress > N & W Faces
 305
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Goodro's Wall Storm Mtn Picni… > Storm Mtn Island
 471
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad
Eternal Flow Lonely Challenge Area
 108
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport 2 pitches
Black Monday S-Curves > S-Curve - Lower
 383
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Force of Nature Dead Snag
 64
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad
Gnarth Brooks Direct Gnar Wall
 17
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Karmic Whiplash Dark Star Gully
 24
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Cross-Eyed and Painless Dogwood Crag
 18
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
More Classic Climbs in Big Cottonwood Canyon »

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