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Elevation: 5,361 ft 1,634 m
GPS: 40.4595, -109.5378
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 66,594 total · 333/month
Shared By: Paul S on Oct 3, 2008 · Updates
Admins: Perin Blanchard, GRK, David Crane

Description Suggest change

Vernal is somewhat like a little brother of Moab's. The surrounding area is filled with mazes of sandstone walls and towers poking up here and there. Instead of the La Sal Mountains, the Unita Mountains make the back drop of the area. The Green and the Yampa Rivers flow nearby eventually converging.

In the area there is good mountain biking, the Green and Yampa Rivers are popular for white water rafting and kayaking, and of course there's a lot of rock for climbing. However, most of the rock isn't of the best quality, desert adventure climbing could be a good way to describe it.

The only routes that I am aware of, are the few that are in Bjornstad's Desert Rock IV. Most of these were put up by Jim Detterline in the 80's, this means many of the anchors are over 2 decades old in very soft rock...

All of the climbing I've done in the area, felt like no one has even climbed the route since the FA, so as far as other climbers hogging the routes, well, that's not an issue at all. Expect seclusion, loose rock, missing anchors, tons of opportunities for new routes and adventure!

Getting There Suggest change

From Salt Lake take I-80 E to 40 E. Head east on 40 for a little over 2 hours and you're in Vernal.

104 Total Climbs

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Location: Vernal Area Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Vernal Area

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V2 5+
 5
Highside Left
Boulder
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 9
Trim Your Bush
Trad
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 7
Honeyshine
Trad
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 4
Crack 5 (The roof is on fire)
Trad, TR
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c
 6
On Deck
Sport
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 4
Poop Deck
Trad
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 5
Crack 3
Sport, TR
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 6
Red, Yellow, Blue
Trad
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 4
Burn Out
Trad
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 4
Crack 1 (Ragnarock)
Sport, TR
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 4
Petrogrift
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Highside Left Rdside Formation (Red…
 5
V2 5+ Boulder
Trim Your Bush Central Battleship Fo…
 9
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Honeyshine Central Battleship Fo…
 7
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
Crack 5 (The roof is on fire) Dry Fork Canyon
 4
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad, TR
On Deck E Battle Ship
 6
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c Sport
Poop Deck Central Battleship Fo…
 4
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad
Crack 3 Dry Fork Canyon
 5
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Sport, TR
Red, Yellow, Blue Central Battleship Fo…
 6
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
Burn Out E Battle Ship
 4
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
Crack 1 (Ragnarock) Dry Fork Canyon
 4
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport, TR
Petrogrift Flag Crag
 4
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
More Classic Climbs in Vernal Area »

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