Mountain Project Logo
To save paper & ink, use the [Hide] controls next to photos and comments so you only print what you need.

Roadside Crag

Utah > Wasatch Range > Wasatch Back > Echo Canyon
Warning Access Issue: Echo Canyon Seasonal Closure: Jan. 1 - second Saturday in April (and sometimes longer) DetailsDrop down

Description

The Roadside Crag is a short wall (35'-50') that sits about a half mile East of the Dry Wall. It basically touches the road, so there is no approach, and there aren't many options for parking. There are currently 9 routes ranging from 5.7- to 5.10b. They are well protected with many bolts.

Getting There

Approach as per the Dry Wall, continue East for about a half mile until you see the short wall and all the shiny new bolts. The boulders on the topo are also a good landmark to watch for.

Routes from Left to Right

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Roadside Crag<br>
(project)<br>
1. [[110235166]] 5.7<br>
2. [[110235171]] 5.8<br>
3. [[110235181]] 5.10a/b<br>
4. [[110878994]] 5.10b<br>
5. [[110879102]] 5.10d<br>
6. [[110235322]] 5.10a<br>
7. [[110235351]] 5.9<br>
8. [[110235369]] 5.9+
[Hide Photo] Roadside Crag (project) 1. Starlight Express 5.7 2. Steel Wheels 5.8 3. Grind and Spark 5.10a/b 4. Unknown 5.10a 5.10b 5. Friendly Handshake 5.10d 6. Two Stroke Bugaboo 5.10a 7. Diesel Sera…
Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes. These ones were left of the wall, near the "project" route in the topo photo, but out the way of the bolted routes. That said, they could always be under a different boulder any given day
[Hide Photo] Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes. These ones were left of the wall, near the "project" route in the topo photo, but out the way of the bolted routes. That said, they could always be under a differe…
Nothing beats the tranquil ambiance of Echo Canyon..
[Hide Photo] Nothing beats the tranquil ambiance of Echo Canyon..
Roadside Crag Topo
[Hide Photo] Roadside Crag Topo
Not cool. Please, clean up after your dog, yourself and definitely after your period.
[Hide Photo] Not cool. Please, clean up after your dog, yourself and definitely after your period.
butt photo!
[Hide Photo] butt photo!

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Paul Wilhelmsen
sandy, ut
[Hide Comment] Super fun crag to stop by. Excellent place for a new leader. The bolting is as close as it can be without being a bolt-ladder. You'd have to try to whip here, 12 draws (plus anchors) on the 50 foot route.
Zero approach and some thoughtful moves make this a really fun place. May 28, 2015
[Hide Comment] Saw a rattlesnake at the base of the wall today. Jun 1, 2015
William Kramer
Kemmerer, WY
[Hide Comment] Took a fall on one of the .10's a couple of weeks ago because the cobble I was crimping came out as I pulled up on it, belayer did some fancy footwork to avoid being struck. Just be careful when the moisture is high, sandstone like stuff holding that cobble in place. Jun 5, 2015
john Climaco
Park City, UT
[Hide Comment]
Bolts going in at Roadside Crag this summer.  More info to follow
Sep 4, 2015
[Hide Comment] Kudos to whoever established these routes. It was a quick and fun stop while driving home to California after climbing in Wyoming. Aug 15, 2016
[Hide Comment] We climbed at this crag yesterday and enjoyed it. Unfortunately, the anchor bolts are too close to each other and could conceivably fail catastrophically. This is a serious problem and should be addressed by the developer. Jun 12, 2017
Nathan Henneka
St. George, UT
[Hide Comment] The comment by Kevin Fosburg needs more attention. There is no one on Earth more knowledgeable about placing bolts in the conglomerate of Echo Canyon. If Kevin thinks the anchors are unsafe then the anchors are unsafe. Jun 26, 2019
john Climaco
Park City, UT
[Hide Comment] Re: anchors at Roadside: Happy to revisit these anchors again although we just inspected every set while replacing the original chains with stainless steel chains and biners and all anchors look completely solid.

Between my partner and I we've placed more than 450 bolts in Echo including expansion bolts and glue-ins. I'd say we know about as much as anyone how the rock in the Canyon behaves. The stone at Roadside is some of the more compact and dense conglomerate in the canyon. I use these anchors without hesitation but will take yet another look at them.

Climbing is dangerous. As always, climb at your own risk. There is always a chance of something going wrong. Sep 6, 2019
[Hide Comment] The climbing is excellent, though it is very loud what with all the trains and the freeway. But totally worth it. If your kids are well behaved enough to stay out of the road it’s a good place to take kids. Jun 22, 2021
[Hide Comment] Great little crag. Consistent ratings. Be sure to wear your helmet. Our group worked left to right and popped off a few loose rocks. You can't beat the approach and lack of crowds. Apr 17, 2023
Thomas Michie
Salt Lake City, UT
[Hide Comment] Great climbing area. The rock quality is excellent. We worked left to right and didn't have a single pebble pop off, much less anything larger. That said, given the nature of conglomerate rock, helmets are still advised. We did make friends with two rattlesnakes nesting near the bottom of the "project" route, but they kept to themselves and weren't in the way of any of the bolted routes. Jul 3, 2023
Austin Le
Phoenix, AZ
[Hide Comment] In October at least, the left side of the crag goes into the shade starting around 4:00 pm, and is almost fully shaded around 4:30 pm. It gets full sun otherwise, making it good until mid winter. Really nice rock quality! Oct 22, 2023
[Hide Comment] Rattlesnakes hanging out at the base of the wall. They were on the left hand side near the project route. Jun 4, 2024