Access Issue: IMPORTANT notes on Wet Rock and Human Waste
Details
See https://www.southernnevadaclimbers.org/wag-bags for more information on the program.
A popular and inviting sport crag home to about twenty routes ranging in grade from 5.10 to 5.12 and length from ~ 40' to 100'. As the name implies the crag receives sun from about mid morning till dusk and many of the routes are steep and thuggy. With an ample flat area below the cliff and bombproof glue-in bolts thanks to some of the same people who developed much of Rumney, many find Sunny and Steep an enjoyable destination away from the loop.
Park in the Kraft Mountain parking lot.
Sunny and steep lies on the opposite side of Kraft Mountain and can be accessed by approaching on the Kraft Mountain loop from either the east or the west. The west approach is faster and shorter distance, but has a bit more elevation change and does not pass by as many crags and boulders. Both approaches are very long by Red Rock sport climbing standards. 30 - 60 minutes depending on pace and approach.
Western Approach
1.30 miles, 600ft gain, 300 ft descent
From the west end of the parking lot, take a trail heading northwest to meet up with the Kraft Mountain loop. Continue on the Kraft Mountain loop around the west side of the mountain, up a very steep and exposed hill. Shortly after passing the back side of Yin and Yang, there is a shortcut trail that branches right off the main trail. Follow the shortcut with a minor scramble down to the wash. Continue east in the wash until you see the crag on your left. There is a short scramble to the base of the cliff.
Eastern Approach
1.75 miles, 400ft gain, 100ft descent
From the east end of the parking lot, take the main Kraft boulders trail heading northeast to meet up with the Kraft Mountain loop. Continue on the Kraft Mountain loop around the east side of the mountain, passing by the many popular boulders in the area, including the Monkey Bar Boulder. Once around the mountain, continue on the Kraft Mountain loop for nearly a mile before the crag appears on your right. There is a short scramble to the base of the cliff.
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San Diego, Ca
I suggest taking the east approach. Even though it may take a bit longer, the west approach is a little hilly and becomes tiresome if carrying climbing gear, enough water and snacks for a full day of climbing at the crag (especially if its bright and sunny). East approach is mostly flat but with a bit of scrambling. It is also mostly shaded while the west approach gets direct sun until you reach the wash. Jan 22, 2011
Longmont, CO
Huntsville, AL
Western approach was a bit steep going up but easy to navigate to the wall and easy to find the shortcut past the Yin Yang boulder. The trail was straight forward and well maintained. We didn't need to scramble until we were directly under the wall.
Eastern approach involved a substantial amount of scrambling and would probably have taken longer to find the wall.
All together, it took us about 45-50 min to approach from the western side with an annoying amount of wind, frequent stops, and lack of knowing exactly where we were going. We carried a full crag day's worth of food/water/gear.
Based on what it felt like hiking back to the car, it felt like the eastern path would have been a less enjoyable and longer feeling approach. In hindsight, we would have preferred the western approach to and from the wall. Mar 10, 2022