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Elevation: 6,200 ft 1,890 m
GPS: 42.75545, -110.86904
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 14,966 total · 65/month
Shared By: Sam Lightner, Jr. on Jul 29, 2007 · Updates
Admins: Mike Snyder, Taylor Spiegelberg, Jake Dickerson

Description Suggest change

This is the scenic canyon just east of the town of Afton. A popular destination, the "Periodic Springs", is at the end of the well maintained road. It's the largest rhythmic spring in the world, and only one of 100 on this earth. Wikipedia Article. The road is open from May 1st - December 1st (Weather dependent).

There is a load of limestone in this canyon and room for hundreds of sport routes. For almost two decades the only known established climbing here was the Swift Creek Spire sporting a half dozen routes, but with new development in 2023 the number of routes has skyrocketed. The North Fork sports many new moderate routes making the hardcore climbing grades of the canyon more approachable for us mere mortals. The Periodic Table is a new hard crag sporting grades in the 5.10-5.14 range with most hanging in the 5.12 range. Many other roadside and other fins with climbing in the canyon. The crags will continue to see development into the future to round out some great sport climbing at all grades for the area. 

Getting There Suggest change

Turn east on 2nd Ave in Afton. Follow the road until it enters the canyon (turns to dirt). It winds up the canyon along the stream for a few miles with a number of ponds and hiking trails being on either side. Rock fins start appearing immediately.

82 Total Climbs

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Location: Swift Creek Canyon Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Swift Creek Canyon

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 26
Queen’s Gambit
Sport
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
 25
Pawns Paradise
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 25
Zugzwang
Sport
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 8
Throne of Darkness
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 8
Pull the Plug
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 9
Stalemate
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 27
Silver Sinkholes
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 15
Searching for Bobby Fischer
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 9
Lighter Than Air
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 5
Checkmate
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 19
Hydro Pump
Sport, TR
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 18
Potassium Powerpump
Sport, TR
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 15
The First Element
Sport, TR
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 7
Splash Mountain
Sport, TR
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 6
Radical Theory
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Queen’s Gambit N Fork > Queen’s Gambit
 26
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Pawns Paradise N Fork > Queen’s Gambit
 25
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b Sport
Zugzwang N Fork > Queen’s Gambit
 25
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Throne of Darkness N Fork > Hall of Hidden Kings
 8
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Sport
Pull the Plug Swift Creek Spire
 8
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Stalemate N Fork > Queen’s Gambit
 9
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Silver Sinkholes Periodic Table > 04. Precious Metals Wall
 27
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Searching for Bobby Fischer N Fork > Queen’s Gambit
 15
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Lighter Than Air Periodic Table > 03. Helium Wall
 9
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Checkmate N Fork > Queen’s Gambit
 5
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Hydro Pump Periodic Table > 01. H2O Wall
 19
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport, TR
Potassium Powerpump Periodic Table > 04. Precious Metals Wall
 18
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport, TR
The First Element Periodic Table > 04. Precious Metals Wall
 15
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport, TR
Splash Mountain Periodic Table > 01. H2O Wall
 7
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Sport, TR
Radical Theory Periodic Table > 05. Free Radicals
 6
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
More Classic Climbs in Swift Creek Canyon »

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