All Locations > Nevada > Southern Nevada > Mt Charleston > Route 157 (Kyle… > Trail Canyon Tr… > Hood

Infectious Cave Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Infectious Cave

L › R R › L A › Z

	Do-Do Love S 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Finger Injection S 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	Ghetto Booty S 5.14 8c+ 34 XI- 34 E9 7b
	Ghetto Boyz S 5.13c 8a+ 30 X- 31 E7 7a
	Gorillas in the Mist S 5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
	Higher Power S 5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
	Infectious Booty S 5.14b 8c 33 X+ 33 E9 7b
	Infectious Groove S 5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
	Molotov Cocktail S 5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
	Short Dog S 5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
	Touch of Grey S 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
	Urban Decay S 5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b

Order Wrong? Sort Routes

Explore this area in 3D

Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.

Elevation:	8,245 ft	2,513 m
GPS:	36.27342, -115.6593 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	28,249 total · 117/month
Shared By:	Matt McMurray on Sep 11, 2006
Admins:	Luke EF, Justin Johnsen Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: Trail/parking closure until fall 2027 Details

The beginning of the trailhead canyon trail and parking lot are closed until Fall 2027: fs.usda.gov/r04/humboldt-to…

The Hood and The Balcony can technically be accessed via the North Loop trail, though this would be a ludicrously long approach.

Access Issue: Partial closure due to flood damage Details

Severe flood damage in August of 2023 has caused closures on parts of the mountain.

Latest update as of May 2025:
fs.usda.gov/r04/humboldt-to…

~* Open / Accessible *~
ROUTE 158 CRAGS
All Open (Starter Crag, Robbers Roost, Glasshouse, etc.)

CATHEDRAL ROCK AREA / SOUTH LOOP
The Dark Tower
Palantine Wall
Chert Locker
The Chapel
Sonar Wall
The Belltower
Sound Garden
Walden
Weakness Wall
Cathedral Rock N Face

BLUE SKY BLUFF / PIRATES COVE
Open

THE HOOD / THE BALCONY
Access from N Loop Trail only

!!! Closed !!!
MARY JANE AREA
Imagination Wall
Fast Food Crag
Universal Wall
Mary Jane Cliff
White Pine Cliff
Yellow Pine Cliff
Walla Walla Wash
Nueva Esperanza

Description

The Infectious Cave is named after the route, Infectious Groove, an overhanging pocketed 5.13b, that takes a left to right diagonal line up the center of the cave. There is a companion 5.13c counter-diagonal line moving right to left called Ghetto Boyz. The cave is sheltered from the sun for most of the day, and contains a handful of quality routes.

Getting There

Follow the detailed direction for getting to the Hood. Take the trail south (left facing in) from the corrosion cave past the Walk-By Slab a few hundred yards into the trees.

12 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location:	Infectious Cave Change
Type:	to Trad Sport Toprope
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:	then:

Classic Climbing Routes at Infectious Cave

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 44 ● Finger Injection Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a 22 ● Short Dog Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b 24 ● Urban Decay Sport
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b 6 ● Gorillas in the Mist Sport
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c 17 ● Infectious Groove Sport