PRINT: Rock Climbing in Practice Cliffs, Zion National Park

Practice Cliffs

Utah > Southwest Utah > Zion NP

Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closures ***** RAIN AND WET ROCK ***** The sandstone in Zion 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 ZION during or after rain. A good rule of thumb is that if the ground near your climb is at all damp (and not powdery dry sand), then do not climb. There are many alternatives (limestone, granite, basalt, and plastic) nearby. Seasonal Raptor Closures Details

Closures in effect March 1
Check for current Raptor closure conditions at:

nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/…

Description

Small crag with a few good single pitch routes in between Court of the Patriarchs and the Grotto. Routes are trad climbs with most having a set of bolted anchors on top. Possible 4th class scramble to reach the top as well.

Getting There

Get off at the Court of the Patriarchs shuttle stop, walk up the road towards the Grotto. Look for steep climbers trail on the right side of the road(the side opposite of the river).

Routes from Left to Right

5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 5 ● Unknown Crack Route Trad, TR
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 18 ● Unknown Trad, TR
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 3 ● Unknown [LF Corner] Trad, TR
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c 21 ● Unknown Chimney TR
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 67 ● Casual Sex Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 30 ● Flake Route Trad

● Unknown Crack Route

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

● Unknown

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

● Unknown [LF Corner]

5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad, TR

● Unknown Chimney

5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c TR

● Casual Sex

5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad

● Flake Route

5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

1500ft/500m North (up canyon/up river) from the Bus Stop: Court of the Patriarchs, follow climbers trail up the hill on the East side of the road. Green is approach to the base. Red is top rope app…

The crag

Rappelling at the Practice Cliffs

Panoramic view from the Practice Cliffs

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Paul Hutton
Nephi, UT

I onsight free soloed a left-facing crack that's climber's left of the big face that has a route with one bolt under an anchor, that's closed off with a yellow chain, or something. It's not in the guide book. Does anyone else care to claim a first free solo? Jul 17, 2016

Boissal .
Small Lake, UT

You probably left the crack dripping wet with spray... Jul 18, 2016

Tofu Brain
Denver

Paul, hate to burst your bubble... but I got the first onsight free solo in flip flops while pounding a Coors Light. If you want, I got a gnarly 5.3 crack proj near there that is just waiting for a onsight free solo FA. Pm if you want to the location. Jul 18, 2016

Matthew Williams
Holladay, UT

From the "Court of the Patriarchs" shuttle stop, walk up canyon .2 miles towards the next stop, The Grotto.. The trail will be on your right. You'll also be able to see the obvious chimney from the road. May 1, 2017

Alec L

This is a surprisingly good wall with a great variety of crack climbing, from fingers to chimneys and everything in between. Rock is very high-quality but constantly getting covered in sand from the hill above.

It is very easy to walk around to the left and set up TR anchors. Please wear helmets at the base, and be extremely careful moving around on top of the crag when people are below. I was about a foot away from getting beaned by a fist-sized rock. Nov 13, 2022