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Elevation: 4,613 ft 1,406 m
GPS: 36.17082, -115.45073
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Page Views: 59,448 total · 268/month
Shared By: Seth R on Apr 18, 2007 · Updates
Admins: Luke EF, Larry DeAngelo, Justin Johnsen
Warning Access Issue: Red Rock RAIN AND WET ROCK: The sandstone is fragile and is very easily damaged when wet. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

This cliff has the highest concentration (by far) of 5.13 and harder sport routes in Red Rock. Most routes are around 60-70 feet and bulging with long sections of overhanging climbing interspersed with more vertical breaks. The routes on the left are less overhanging and also less popular, with the exception of All The Wrong Reasons which can make for a good warm-up for the 13s.

The grades tend to fluctuate a bit as some of the feet and hands crumble and routes see more repeats.

Conditions Suggest change

The wall faces northeast, is mostly shaded all day, and is at 4600ft of elevation, which is higher than the majority of the Calico Hills. The routes on the far left get some morning sun, especially later in the spring. Most are comfortable when the high in downtown Las Vegas is between 70 and 85 degrees, though wind and personal preference can move that range. It is possible to climb from early fall to late spring if you can brave the more extreme heat/cold.

This wall is a major source of water runoff. There are a number of routes which travel through water streaks, and these routes will often need a good brushing between periods of rain, especially after the summer monsoons. Additionally, the combination of the runoff and the lack of sun exposure mean this cliff needs additional time to dry out compared to the rest of Calico Hills. The already soft rock will be even more crumbly when climbed on after precipitation. 

Getting There

Suggest change

There are three possible approaches to the crag from the south, west, and north. The southern approach is the fastest, most direct, and least exposed. The western approach passes by a few crags (Wake Up, Twinkie, and Trophy), so it may be a good option if you are combining multiple walls in one day. The northern approach is longest and could makes sense if your party has an aversion to minor scrambling, as it is possible to stay on flat dirt/gravel trails the whole way to the crag.

Southern approach (best option):

Follow the Calico Tanks trail out of the Sandstone Quarry parking lot. Continue on the Calico Tanks trail for a few more minutes past this junction until you see a dry creek bed on the left after passing under some tree cover. Continue in this creek bed to a large boulder on top of a slab and take a hard left to stay in the creek bed. Stay in the creek bed almost all the way to the wall, with a short scramble up a chute near the end. After the chute continue up the wash and then a short slab to the bushes at the base of the crag. See the map with the approach trail for additional clarity.

0.7 mi and 300 ft elevation gain, ~20 minutes.

Western approach:

Follow the approach instructions for The Trophy Wall. Once at the base of that wall, continue past it on the downhill slab. Aim for the left side of a narrow break in the slab. Once deposited low into the foliage, head left to the wall.

0.9 mi and 400 ft elevation gain, ~25 minutes.

Northern approach:

Follow the Turtlehead peak trail until the walls diminish and hang a right onto a faint trail, hugging the walls to your right.

1.1 mi and 400 ft elevation gain, ~30 minutes.

20 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at The Secret 13 Wall

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
More Classic Climbs in The Secret 13 Wall »

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