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Mother's Crag

Nevada > Southern Nevada > Red Rocks > (07) Willow Spring
Warning Access Issue: Red Rock RAIN AND WET ROCK: The sandstone is fragile and is very easily damaged when wet. DetailsDrop down

Do it for your Mama!

The Mother's Crag. Installed on Mother's Day 2011 by Jon O’brien and Mike Trono when they probably should have been hanging with their mothers. I suppose naming a cliff after them is the next best thing!

This cliff is a fantastic gem hidden in plain sight a few hundred yards past the Children ‘s crag in Willow Springs. If you enjoy routes like "Peaches”or "Tonto” I believe that the classics of the Mother’s Crag are just as great. The crag reminds me of home (the gunks) in that the quality and excitement of the climbing are high despite the difficulty being low. This crag has easy roadside access with morning sun and afternoon shade. It shares the same orientation as the Children's Crag and Ragged Edges. It is fairly secluded despite its easy access and the rock quality is superb.

NOTE: all routes rappel from the tree above Motorcycle Mama with one 60 meter rope. I did not see an easy way to gain the top of this crag (besides leading the climbs;)

Getting There

Drive up the road a bit towards Karate Crack leaving the pavement behind you. When you reach an informational sign on your left you should be able to see the Mother’s Crag. "Motorcycle Mama" is very easy to spot as a large, low-angled, left-facing corner.

Park at any of the various pull-outs along the gravel road. I like one in particular that pretty much faces the cliff, I have included a photo from this spot. It is easy to find parking.

Routes from Left to Right

5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 15
Mike's Route
Trad
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 4
Unnamed
TR
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 56
Motorcycle Mama
Trad
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b X
 4
Yo Mama
Trad
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 15
Crag Hag
Trad
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
 43
Dream Girl
Trad
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
 3
Motherless Children
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Mike's Route
 15
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad
Unnamed
 4
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b TR
Motorcycle Mama
 56
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad
Yo Mama
 4
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b X Trad
Crag Hag
 15
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a Trad
Dream Girl
 43
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c Trad
Motherless Children
 3
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c Trad

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

From the parking spot.
[Hide Photo] From the parking spot.
From the sign on the left up the gravel road past Willow Spring's paved road/ picnic area.  Motorcycle Mama is the l. facing corner.
[Hide Photo] From the sign on the left up the gravel road past Willow Spring's paved road/ picnic area. Motorcycle Mama is the l. facing corner.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Gini Kramer
North Haven, CT
[Hide Comment] Finding Mother's Crag is very easy. Once you reach the interpretive sign seen in the picture, it's very obvious. However, if you start walking in too soon, you'll be in for a bushwhack through a lot of very hostile scrub oak. So, once you spot the crag, keep walking along the road until you're facing it directly. At that point., you can head down into the wash. Look for a fairly wide break in the trees/bushes below the right side of the crag (where Dream Girl is). You'll be looking at wall of rock. An easy step up on the left will get yoiu started on an easy approach with far less scrub oak to scar you for life. Apr 5, 2015
Benjamin Chapman
Small Town, USA
[Hide Comment] Thanks for the addition of this secluded and fun area, Jon. As you state it's very reminiscent of the Shawangunks experience. Establishing a bolted rappel anchor or two to save the poor trees that are currently slung with webbing and cord would be prudent. The addition of bolted anchors would also reduce the risk of climbers knocking rocks off the top of the crag onto those at the base. May 6, 2023
Jon OBrien
Nevada
[Hide Comment] If that’s what is needed then stop talking about it and just install it Ben. Nov 5, 2023
Nicholas Moberg
Las Vegas
[Hide Comment] This is a fun little crag however approaching it is quite scrambly and a little bushwacking is necessary. Dec 2, 2023