PRINT: Climbing in Snowbird Boulders, Little Cottonwood Canyon

Snowbird Boulders

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Access Issue: Gate Buttress Area Recreational Lease: Climbs on Church Buttress above vault remain closed Details

Climbers Partner with LDS Church on Stewardship of Little Cottonwood Canyon Climbing

June 1st, 2017:The Salt Lake Climbers Alliance (SLCA), the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), and Access Fund announce the signing of an unprecedented lease for 140 acres in Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC). The parcel, known as the Gate Buttress, is about one mile up LCC canyon and has been popular with generations of climbers because of its world-class granite.

The agreement secures legitimate access to approximately 588 routes and 138 boulder problems at the Gate Buttress for rock climbers, who will be active stewards of the property. The recreational lease is the result of several years of negotiations between LDS Church leaders and the local climbing community.

Access Note: The climbs on the Church Buttress above the vault as well as the Glen boulders that have been traditionally closed will remain closed.
Please help us steward this area and leave no trace.

Read More:

saltlakeclimbers.org/climbe…

SLCA and AF recreational leased area on LDS Church land

Description

A set of about 5 main boulders just before you get to Snowbird Ski Resort. Cooler due to it's elevation, and beautifully situated in groves of aspens.

Getting There

Park 5.3 miles up the canyon where a cement lane divider begins in the middle of the road. Find the downhill-facing Right-Lane Merge Sign slightly up canyon. The traihead is on the same (North) Side of the road just 20 yards up-canyon from this sign. Follow the trail for 2 minutes up to the Man Trap Boulder and 1 more minute to the Sam Trap Boulder. Two paths on the south side of the road lead down to the other boulder clusters.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Trailhead to Sam Trap/Inception boulders

On the Inception boulder around June 2020

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Leroy Fielding
Salt Lake City, UT

Heads up that construction has removed the boulder that overhangs the road and marks the trail. I drove past it today (8/13/20) and did not see the boulder. The trail still peeks out and is visible, but might be harder to find. Aug 13, 2020

Ryan Oshinsky
Salt Lake City, UT

I've climber here in the Summer/Fall, but I was wondering if this area is accessible in the winter. I was thinking about heading up this week. Should I have any concern about avalanches/ is parking the same or should I park elsewhere? Jan 8, 2021

Porter Archibald
Northern Utah

The trailhead to get to the Sam Trap/Inception boulders is on the north side of the road, and it's just 10-15 feet east of the lane merge sign in the beta photo. May 13, 2022