The Puzzle is a west-facing slab about 400m above the Butterface routes. It continues to receive sun quite late in the day, but is prone to more wind than lower down in the gully. As a consolation prize, one captures amazing views into upper Hogum Fork and Thunder Ridge. A Hogum Fork perspective is actually pretty rare in Little Cottonwood Canyon and this is the place to ogle it. While ascending the steepening gully, The Puzzle is just below a very large Chockstone wedged into the narrow sides of the slide path. To go further or to pass this would require some 3rd class climbing, so if you encounter this section, The Puzzle is just to your right!
Getting There
Hike up the great trail in Maybird Slide Area past the Purple Wall and The Butterface Buttress. This is up a boulder field in at times, a narrow gully and the going is a bit more tenuous than up to the lower crags. Luke Douglas and Greg Martinez and others surely deserve the credit for a 15 minute well cairned trail to these lower climbs.
Continue about 15 more minutes and approx 400m directly up the gully. This upper approach section can be prone to spontaneous rock fall, so please take your breaks in sheltered sections of the added approach.
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