Red Rock 

"Who could ask for more?"

How about some beta on the camping...

Bryson, try www.redrockcanyonlv.org/faq.htm. Camping was $10/night last time I stayed there. On the positive side, there's potable water, clean pit toilets, and it's pretty close to the entrance loop. However, the sites are not wind or sun-protected and the campground as a whole is not very scenic. As they say, a picture says a thousand words.

As an alternative to camping, you might want to try hotels.com as well - it's not uncommon to find rooms for $35 per night on Sun-Thurs. If you can get a good deal, I highly recommend the Artisan Hotel at the corner of I-15 and Sahara. Great rooms, killer lounge bar, funky ambiance, and non-smoking.

Since I'm on a roll, I'll also recommend BJ's Restaurant & Brewery on West Charleston for a post-climbing brewski and pizza or burger. Try the Tatonka Imperial Stout or Piranha Pale Ale!

Thanks for the info, Mike.

I'd like to see the main Red Rock page updated to include this info, and additional info on hotels, places to eat and buy beer, climbing shops, climbing gear, entrance fees, gate hours, etc.

An overview of the climbing areas and some climbing photos would be nice too.

See The Gunks for an example.

Also, it seems that the area is called "Red Rock", not "Red Rocks", by the locals these days. Maybe the area should be renamed.

Ron --

I've always called it "Red Rocks" (as per the red Urioste and subsequent Swain guidebooks), although the official name is the "Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (RRCNCA)". The locals call it "Red Rock" and are quick to point out that you must be a non-local if you call it "Red Rocks" (think "Buena Vista, CO"). "Red Rock Canyon" seems like the best option for this site. What do you think, Larry?

Additional info: Desert Rock Sports on W. Charleston is the place to go for gear, guidebooks, etc. The old owner, Mike Ward, sold the shop about a year ago, and they moved a few doors down. The Powerhouse Gym is located in the same strip mall and provides showers for a small fee. Trader Joe's is located at 2101 S. Decatur and has great food, wine, coffee, cheese (much of it organically-grown) at excellent prices.

Great info Mike. Thanks!
more...
www.supertopo.com/climbingareas/redrocks.html

The Powerhouse Gym on W. Charleston Blvd. and Cimarron was renamed to
Red Rock Climbing Center after the change of ownership.
8201 W. Charleston Blvd.
ste. 150
Phone: 702-254-5604

Desert Rock Sports for your gear needs(in same plaza as R.R.C.C.)
Also... can offer a lot of helpful information to visiting or local climbers.

Whole Foods
10 minutes from Red Rock
8855 W Charleston Blvd
Phone: 702-254-8655

The Sunflower Market is also great if you like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods type grocery items. They have a huge selection of fruits and vegetables, wide aisles, and less crowded. Their prices seem more reasonable too.
4020 S. Rainbow Blvd
Located on the NE corner of Flamingo and S. Rainbow Blvd.
Store Hours: Monday-Sunday 7 AM - 10 PM
Phone: 702-876-4888

In same plaza as Sunflower Market:
Einstein Bagels, Starbucks,
and a French Bakery:
Bonjour Euro Bakers
(Great pastries, coffee, and sandwiches!)
Owners Stephane & Gerard
Phone: 702-889-4628

BJ's Restaurant, and Brewery as mentioned above, is popular for after climbing feasts.
On W. Charleston Blvd./215 freeway

Heavy Fines for staying late . . .

Scorching weather . . .

Routes crowded with gumbies . . .

Crappy, expensive campground . . .

Why come to Red Rocks?

Mwwaaahahahahaha

Hi Folks
I'm close to completing a new guidebook to Red Rocks, (yes another one). I've got room for a few more shots and have too many of my friends already, so I'd like to get a few new faces in there. I'm looking for shots of leaders on multi pitch canyon routes in particular, but any nice shot will do. 4 mp digital is probably the minimum, I can use slides as well.
Any new route information is welcome. If its in the canyons and bolts are involved send it anonymously, so that neither I nor the BLM know who you are!. My E-Mail is jerryhandren@earthlink.net.

Worst campground EVER!

Red Rocks is Awesome! One of my favorite places, but the campground SUCKS!!!

If you are a hardcore mountain biker, you MUST take a side trip to
Bootleg Canyon in beautiful Boulder City.
Only a 30 -40 minute freeway drive from Vegas. Check it out!

Weather information for Calico Basin (weather station KNVLASVE41) may be found at www.wunderground.com/US/NV/Las_Vegas.html. Scroll down the page to "Calico Basin, Red Rock Conservation Area, Las Vegas, NV"

The National Weather Service also has a weather station in Red Rock, this one is at the Visitor Center.

NWS Red Rock

FWIW the Las Vegas airport makes for a lousy bivy spot...

Originally posted by "chris ansari"

-----------------
The kind folks over at the BLM have published a bunch of data about the climbing routes within the conservation area. It has some pretty incredible photos of walls with route locations.

It is not a substitute for a guidebook, but might be a nice complement for finding routes. It's worth looking over.

www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo/blm_programs/blm_special_areas/>>>

On the right side of the page is the red rock climbing inventory.
It is downloadable in sections as a pdf.

To you Red Rock locals, besides the campground and the "Artisan Hotel," do you all know of hotels/hostels reasonably priced and on the west side of town? I seem to be having a hard time finding anything besides the Suncoast and Red Rock Casino. This is a great help to those of us who don't want to camp in the wind. Thanks!

Any advice on the best guidebook to buy?

There is only one guidebook to buy:
- Red Rocks A Climber's Guide
by Jerry Handren

-amazing color photos
-most routes of any guide
-climbing history
-accurate information

Yeah,

Well, re: the late exit 'policy'. This is the MOST restrictive of any public land. I got a ticket 2 days ago for $125, are you kidding me?

And we were less than 2 hours late, due to a rope stuck, rappel issue.

These are 'our lands' and we should have full access for foot travel in/out, just like the wild animals.

THIS IS JUST WRONG!

Larry,
If you have a guide serves list, could you please add:

Mountain Skills Guides . Jay Foley and Mike Ward have been providing permitted and insured guiding services in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area of Las Vegas for over 15 years.

Thanks,

Mike

Red Rock Loop road closing at 4?
I guess I'll find out in a few hours, but is it true that the blm is now closing the loop an hour early? Hell, why not just close it completely? Anything is possible with these people. Hope it's a rumor but knowing the blm, likely it's true.

based on the conversation I just had on the phone with the park they are open until 7pm that is the time that the law enforcer comes to hunt ya down. I think it is always a good idea to get the permit just in case. Shit happens when your out there.
it costs nothing to obtain a late exit permit.

I recently picked up a copy of the new Jerry Handren guide and it is excellent! My biggest complaint is the text size - it is incredibly small. I would estimate 8pt font. I think Red Rocks is getting too large for a single guidebook. The climbing naturally splits between trad and sport, and it makes sense now to have a separate guide for each. I'm sure all the sport climbers have little interest in the extra pages devoted to all the new 5.8 trad routes, and similarly us trad climbers have little interest in hard sport routes.

The only thing I see lacking in this guide is it does not address runout potential very well in many routes I am familiar with. Very rarely does one see an "R" attached to any route. Often any runouts are mentioned in the text, but I would like to see it in the rating as well. Safe sport routes are identified as such, but I am referring to trad routes.

Red Rock Guide Book online with new routes, corrections and more - www.redrocksguidebook.com/forum/index.php

Question about critters in Oak Creek Canyon; I was coming down through the canyon (11/5/09) and noticed there were what appeared to be large pools of urine on many of the boulders on the canyon floor. Does anyone have any idea what type of animal might have done this? I don't think it was human because I am pretty sure I was the only one in the canyon that day. I was descending from Solar Slab and was a little nervous, but don't really know what kind of critter it might have been. Many thanks for an answer.

Big Horn Sheep - I see the pee pods all the time.

Hey; Thanks for the schoolin'. Big horn sheep sound a lot better than the big cats I was imagining. Cheers!

Going to Red Rocks over the weekend. Any suggestions on nice "sunny" routes? I have done solar slab before. I am looking for something in the 5.6-5.9 range, trad.

Hey, what are some of you red rock locals favorite link ups for a day. Somewhere in the 10 range. Lots of mileage.As much sun as possible, from wyoming though so can handle the freezing temps to. Straight forward descents since it gets dark early. Looking for some info. Will be down there for four days of climbing and would like to know what you think. Have climbed pretty extensively down there but have never done any links outside of solar slab to the eagle dance. thanks for the beta

Linkups in the .10 range-

Black Orpheus to anything on Eagle Wall- Mountain Beast, Levitation, etc- super fun and easy to do if you're quick.

If'n you're real quick, you can link up any of the routes on Windy Peak- the descents off of all of them deposit you back at the base.

If you can tolerate the cold, I've heard that starting Lone Star via Epinephrine is pretty damn cool- and LOOONG- something like 20-odd pitches, although it can be done in less.

Lots of pitches can be had if you link up Spectrum, Birdland, and Bighorn- that wouldnt be too tough.

I am hoping someone with knowledge of Red Rocks, NV routes could provide some suggestions. I'm looking to take my son on his first wall and trying to find a reasonable wall in the area similar to Moonlight or Prodigal in Zion. In other words reasonable aid C1/C2+, 5.8/5.9, preferably hammer free, that could typically be completed in a couple days (Grade IV/V). I'm searching for alternatives to Zion because of the various wall closures there this autumn which kind of blows the calendar for us.
It's great to see all the high end free routes in the guides but very unfortunately few mentions of aid options. Guide book authers: this reader would like to see references to original ratings when possible. (e.g. 5.9/A2 old school now often only referenced as free 5.12a)
Thanks for any suggestions.

Unfortunately, Red Rock really isnt known for its aid walls- the nature of the sandstone lends itself much more to free climbing than aid.

I would recommend the Original Route on Rainbow Wall, but the honest truth is that its much better as a free climb for the 5.10 leader who doesnt mind pulling on bolts/good gear now and then.

The general Rainbow Wall vicinity is probably your best bet. Buffalo Wall is the other wall, but the aid tends to be harder/scarier and only one or two routes up there have even seen second ascents, let alone traffic. Theres piles of aid routes on the Rainbow Wall and the only route up there that sees free climbers on a regular basis is the Original Route.

For aid practice in Red Rocks, a good little climb is the first part of Plan F on Ragged Edges wall.

www.mountainproject.com/v/nevada/red_rock/willow_spring/105733169

It's steep enough and you can practice jumaring too. September is the perfect time to climb Prodigal Sun. I would say Moonlight Buttress is an easier aid climb than Prodigal Sun, but October might be better for that one.

>>"Who could ask for more?"
>>How about some beta on the camping...

The sarcastic comment is old, but still applies. For an area so popular, this page sure does ... stink. Compare it to the front page of the Gunks ...

There was a recent tiny debate about stinky pages in the Gunks section (here) and it seems like the front page of Red Rock suffers the same lack of information.

I'll be buying the guide books either way, but the site would really gain from having some sort of community editing to fix these useless descriptions.

Here is an attempt to consolidate some of the Frequently Asked Questions about Red Rock. Hope this helps you on your trip to Vegas

www.mountainproject.com/v/nevada/frequently_asked_red_rock_q>>>

Another good addition of advice is...

If you have the slightest doubt you might be late getting back to your car simply call up the ranger line and give them your route, and car info. this has worked everytime for us in the past. have never received a bunk ticket.

shouldn't it be 'Red Rocks' with an "s"?

Actually, no- red rock is correct as the areas name is Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area- 'red rocks' is a name that has caught on over time with out of towners, but locals still refer to it as red rock for the most part.

Any advice on transport from airport to RR? Flying in but need a ride out to meet up with partner. Taxis, buses, etc? My buddy can pick me up somewhere close by but doesn't want to drive to the airport during the hours I'll be arriving.

Um, a taxi will cost a fortune- i'm sure all of $50 one way, if not more to the edge of town. Buses- I have no idea if they run in/out of the airport. You can check the Regional Transportation Commissions' (RTC)website for bus schedule/routes and maybe catch a cab to a close-by route where you can ride to the edge of town. The closest bus station to Red Rock is likely somewhere near Charleston/215.

Thanks, I'll start there and post what I find out. I'm not sure how bad it is getting to and from the airport around 9am but my buddy seems to be VERY hesitant to go near it.

9am? seriously? tell your buddy to sack up and just come get you. late sunday/late friday sucks, any other time is no biggie.

Any suggestions on crags at Red Rocks that have big and flat bases? Thinking about a trip with the kids, and want to be sure they are away from stuff they can tumble down. Kids are pretty young, so we keep them close.

Single pitch is best.

Thanks!

we have found the easiest way to pick up a late comer at the airport is actually to jump the shuttle bus to the car rental garage and pick them up at the curb no traffic easy on/off 215 , and of coarse its a free ride

Good job on the wag bags! These should be mandatory for all desert environments.

FOUND

- HARNESS
- SHOES
-CHALKBAG

SECOND PULLOUT ON THE 29 OF NOV

- JUST NEED TO KNOW THE BRAND OF ALL THE GEAR AND ITS YOURS

IF YOU LOST THIS STUFF E-MAIL KYLE @

skalacker88@hotmail.com

WOULD LOVE TO GET THIS STUFF BACK TO ITS OWNER I KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE TO LOOSE SH!T

Hey,
I'm new in town. Looking to project sport routes during the weekends, especially Monster Skank, but any 5.12's and 13's. Send me an email if you'd like to meet up: stefandruzdzel_4@hotmail.com

Hola climbing amigos. I'm driving out to Vegas with my lovely girlfriend Jillian on the afternoon/evening of Thursday the 27th and returning on the night of Sunday the 30th. I'll be leaving from the Los Angeles area and I'm wondering if anyone wants to ride with us? Also, we're getting a hotel room at the quad for Thursday/Friday/Saturday night. Does anyone want to split a room with us? I got a quote for ~$150.00 (everything included) for a room with 2 queen size beds, so if split 3 ways that's $50/person or 4 ways that's ~$37/person. Jillian and I will be mutli-pitching long/easy routes (WON'T TELL YOU WHICH HAHA), as a team of two, so you'll need to have other climbing plans, or if you're a competent trad team we can do the same route but in separate teams. Anyone interested?

The extreme management (i.e. closing access every evening and flushing people out) of the loop seems unjustified to me - nowhere else is BLM or even NPS land so strictly controlled. Does anyone know why? Were people dumping bodies out there in the 70's?

@nate: It is a bit extreme, but being that close to an urban area of 1.6M makes it necessary to have stronger regs, as well as not having a huge budget for rangers. Given the graffiti problem in the Calico as it is, for example, having the loop open all the time would 'probably' increase that. Ideas for a more streamlined, mobile-friendly late exit system have been discussed for awhile, but without significant public input, may never be implemented. If you have some ideas, feel free to let the BLM know. A good person to contact is Mark Spencer, Field Manager. His office is :
Red Rock/Sloan Field Office
4701 N. Torrey Pines Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89130
m1spence@blm.gov
702.515.5351

Or feel free to contact your local representative, and have them convey your thoughts to the NV congressmen and the BLM.

Hey all!
I'll be arriving in Vegas Friday afternoon (3/29). Looking to hitch up and follow someone the next morning (early) or maybe even Friday night if that's an option. I've got to be back in Vegas by 10:30am Saturday morning. I know it's not much time, so I'm thinking sunrise is a good time to head out? I'm confident on a 5.8-ish and anything above I'm game to try. Looking for a short(ish) & sweet session with minimal approach time.
Will have just completed a week long geology field trip so the time is short but I'd be super psyched just to get a few hours in!

At the Front Corridor crag, does anyone know what the mixed route is that seems to be two routes to climber's left of Man's Best Friend? I climbed it the other day and it was 3 bolts from the start and then trad up a right-facing flake, traverse right along a horizontal crack, then up a left-facing corner then traverse a short way over a bulge up to chains. I can't seem to find this route anywhere.

There has been some confusion in the past, which we hope to dispel... The Las Vegas Metro Search and Rescue team DOES NOT charge for its services. We are part of the Las Vegas Metro Police Department, a tax-funded public safety agency. Don't hesitate to call us if you get in trouble.

The best way to reach us is by dialling 9-1-1. An emergency operator may be able to collect GPS coordinates from your cell phone.

Please, don't hesitate. Call us if you need us.