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Rainbow Rocks Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Rainbow Rocks

L › R R › L A › Z

	A View from the Ridge S 5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
	Angle of Refraction S 5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a
	Black Celebration S 5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
	Chocolate Face S 5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
	Crack Up T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Embarrassment of Riches S 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Fat Man S 5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
	Ice Cream Girls S 5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
	Knowing is the First Step S 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	Only Unicorn in Town, The S 5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
	Prism Blues T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Short Spectrum T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Spinal Column S 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	Tortured Landscape S 5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
	Trichotillomania S 5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
	Yummy Yummy S 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b

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GPS:	46.67401, -120.98415 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	6,871 total · 30/month
Shared By:	andyf on Feb 19, 2007 · Updates
Admins:	Jon Nelson, Zachary Winters, Mitchell McAuslan Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

Rainbow Rocks is probably the least-visited of the main Tieton crags, but a lot of work has gone in in the early/mid-2020s to refurbish old routes and establish new ones. There's definitely enough to keep you busy for a day and a number of routes are worth repeat visits. Routes mostly range from 35 to 60 feet on columns that range from steep slabs to gently overhanging. The rock is generally quite good and peppered with horizontal edges—this crag is home to some of the best edging routes in the area. A number of routes now also tackle the higher entablature layer, which has a completely different character. The sport routes get most of the attention, but there are some worthwhile cracks, too.

The crag faces west and is shaded in the morning. It’s a really pleasant place on summer mornings, although it becomes a nuclear furnace once the summer sun hits. Because it’s exposed on a ridgeline, it’s not a great destination if it’s windy.

Getting There

Take Highway 12 east or west to "Rimrock Retreat," a small collection of cabins and businesses. The crag is on the hillside to the north above the community.

Park just east of the Trout Lodge Motel and an old gas station on a broad shoulder off the highway, above the river. Be sure to not block access to the private bridge nearby.

Cross the highway at the “Rimrock Retreat” sign, scramble up, and turn right to hike up a gentle slope above the highway, intercepting an old roadbed after a switchback. Follow the roadbed east to a dry wash and follow the wash to a huge chossy boulder. From this point on, a foot path and (mostly) constructed trail take you to the crag.