Your Mom's Basement Rock Climbing

From Rose Canyon Lake cross the dam on the south side and then turn left following a trail that starts paralleling a big fallen tree. Follow this trail to the top of a big ridge/cliff top. Descend to the base of the cliff on the left side of the cliff on rock slabs and you are at the Rose Hill Crag. From the 1st group of routes at the Rose Hill Crag hike downhill 30-50 feet to slab with nice view of the canyon and the highway across the other side. walk down the left side of the slab and down water groove to the 20’ tall “Jenga Tower”, which has 2 routes on it. Continue down the right side (when looking downhill) of the “Jenga Tower” under big fallen tree and follow the trail down hill, through some switchbacks, along a fallen tree, past a 15’ high boulder (with potential for slab and overhanging problems), over a newly fallen tree, down a steeper section, then turning right, cutting across the hillside, into the manzanita, and finally to the top of the cliffs. From the slabs at the top of the cliff jump down from one boulder to a second then continue right and down a 5’ groove, and off the slabs the the right. Then jump down 4 foot drop to the left of a tower called the “Tiki Head” which leans towards the cliff and is held up by very little very hollow rock. Finally continue downhill keeping the cliff on your left to the various flat belay areas and the routes. Continue along in the same direction 75’ past the end of “Your Moms Basement” cliff and you will reach the black and white “Skunk Wall” on which there is some bouldering and top ropes can be set up. Below the main wall of Your Mom’s Basement is another tier of rock 8-15’ tall, overhanging, with flat landings which could yield some bouldering. Downhill and to the left (Southeast) are two more boulders with potential. Also from the slabs at the top of the cliff you can follow a light trail to the left,scramble over a big, old, gnarly manzanita trunk, and around to a pretty spacious cave with a register. The floor of which has had most of the dirt cleaned off of it and has a small fire pit area. We weathered several BIG monsoon storms in the summer of 2012 in this cave, including the one which knocked down all the trees along Oracle Rd in town, and it is a cozy place to pass the time. Pack it in, pack it out! Climb Safe, and Enjoy!
-Nick Martel, Kristina Bergdahl. 2012.