Flaming Rock

Flaming Rock, City of Rocks, photo: Bob Horan

Description 

Mostly clip-ups, the west face of Flaming Rock offers steep climbing through solution pockets in bright red-orange iron-oxide patina. This is what many people think of as the sport climbing experience at the City. Classics such as Tribal Boundaries, 5.10a, and Firewater, 5.11b, are located here. The east face is much lower angle, and home to the slabby moderate, Raindance, 5.7.

On the north side of the rock is South Creek which runs nearly all year. You can get water out of this stream, but be sure to treat it. With all the ranching in the City, the water contains giardia.

Getting There 

Park as if you are going to the Lost Arrow spire, near campsite 30. Follow this trail (I think it is called the Flaming Rock trail?) down through the sage. You will come to a fork in the trail just before Flaming Rock. For Tribal Boundaries and other steep climbs on the west face, take the left fork; for Raindance, take the right fork. The trail continues all the way around the rock, so you really can't go wrong. If you take the left fork, take the two minutes to scramble up to the window just before the ledge over to Tribal Boundaries. It's pretty cool.

The Classics

Featured Route For Flaming Rock

Tribal Boundaries 5.10a  ID : City of Rocks : Flaming Rock

Steep edging through patina, with a slopery finish.This route is on the northern end of the west face of Flaming Rock. Traverse the ledge in from the right. There is a bolt for the belayer at waist level. There are two 5.10a routes here. The left, all bolt, line is Tribal Boundaries. The right route requires some small gear.The first couple of hangers are homemade jobs, the rest are factory....[more]   Browse More Classics in ID