PRINT: Rock Climbing in Conundrum Crag, Red Rocks

Conundrum Crag

Nevada > Southern Nevada > Red Rocks > Calico Basin > Kraft Mtn Area

Access Issue: IMPORTANT notes on Wet Rock and Human Waste Details

WET ROCK: The sandstone in Red Rocks is fragile and is very easily damaged when it is wet. Holds rip off and climbs have been and will continue to be permanently damaged due to climbers not respecting this phenomenon. After a heavy storm the rock will remain wet, sometimes for several days. PLEASE DO NOT CLIMB IN RED ROCKS DURING OR AFTER RAIN. A good rule of thumb is that if the ground near your climb is at all damp (and not powdery bone-dry sand), then do not climb. There are many alternatives (limestone, granite, basalt, and plastic) nearby.

HUMAN WASTE: Human waste is a major issue plaguing the area. The Southern Nevada Climbers Coalition (SNCC) works to provide "wag bags" free of charge in several locations: Black Velvet Canyon, The Hamlet, Kraft Mountain Area, The Gallery, and The Black Corridor. These bags are designed so that you can pack your waste out. Consider bringing one to be part of your daily kit no matter where you go. Once used, please dispose of them properly. Do not throw them in the toilets at the parking areas.

See https://www.southernnevadaclimbers.org/wag-bags for more information on the program.

Description

Shorter sport routes with a variety of angles and features. East and south facing. Full shade in the afternoon as the sun becomes blocked by Kraft Mountain, though some routes will be in the shade a bit earlier.

Getting There

Hike around the east end of Kraft Mountain Loop Trail, passing the popular Monkey Bar Boulder. As you round the corner into Gateway Canyon, and shortly before reaching The Pork Chop Boulder, look up and left along the hillside to spot the crag. When possible, make the short and easy scramble uphill to the crag. ~20-25 mins.

Routes from Left to Right

5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c 51 ● Hunting Party Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a 91 ● Arrowhead Arete Sport
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b 46 ● Don't Laugh At Me Dude Sport
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b 1 ● Satan In A Can Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c 184 ● Drilling Miss Daisy Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c 82 ● Mr. Puppy Lives Sport
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 6 ● Crumble My Grundle Trad

● Hunting Party

5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport

● Arrowhead Arete

5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport

● Don't Laugh At Me Dude

5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport

● Satan In A Can

5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Sport

● Drilling Miss Daisy

184

5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport

● Mr. Puppy Lives

5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport

● Crumble My Grundle

5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Conundrum crag. Left buttress L>R: Hunting Party, Arrowhead Arete, Don't Laugh at Me Dude; Right buttress L>R: Satan in a Can, Drilling Miss Daisy, Mr. Puppy

Crag is right in the middle of the photo

Harder routes of Conundrum are just to the left (not show in pic) of family crag (5.9, 5.9, 5.8). 15- 20 min approach from parking lot. Head east on established trail. Pass monkey bar. Start scramb…

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Christine Gal
henderson, nv

FYI -- Handren's Red Rocks guidebook does not have Family Crag separated, it is listed under Conundrum Crag Jan 27, 2009

PaulRolewicz

Climbed at this crag for my first time earlier this month with a small group. Several of us did these 2 new routes that are not listed in the guidebook. Excellent routes! Many thanks to the setter! We arrived at the same grade consensus as well ... 5.11a-"ish". Curious to know F.A. info as well (grade, route name).

Shawn, Mike's description is really all you need (assuming you have a guidebook). The guidebook shows Arrowhead Arete and Drilling Miss Daisy. One route is maybe 10 feet left of Arrowhead Arete and the other route is maybe 20 feet right of Drilling Miss Daisy. If you are solid on 5.11 sport, you will love both of these routes Oct 31, 2012

Mike Zasadzien

Order of the routes from Left To Right Should be:

First Arete Feature
Dupa humpa S 5.11 [aka Hunting Party, to the left]
Arrowhead Arete S 5.11c [prominent feature]
Don't Laugh at Me Dude S 5.10 [Around the corner from Arrowhead, aka Lost Arrow]

Next Wall Over, about 30'
Satan In A Can 5.12d [3b, unlisted]
Drilling Miss Daisy S 5.11a
Mr. Puppy's Assfro S 5.10d

About 100' to the right is the next wall with three moderate bolted route, and to the left of the bolts are two trad routes.
Crumble My Grundle T 5.7+
Black Sheep T 5.9 [single rack to 5", unlisted]
Wayward Son S 5.9
Family Circus S 5.9
Family Affair S 5.8 Jul 7, 2017