Paiute Boulders is the climbing area one half mile south of the mouth of Keyhole, easily identified by and named after the large brown boulder low on the hillside. The climbing is just as good as the rest of Keyhole, yet hardly anyone climbs here and it's easy to find yourself alone.
Most of the bouldering is on the boulders scattered under the short cliffs behind the Paiute Boulder and this area covers everything up to the base of the cliffs. Some of them even have good landings. A couple of the large boulders have a one bolt anchor for top roping; others can be set up with gear, and a little boldness works on all of them. The short cliffs offer up to a couple of dozen easy to moderate trad climbs with a few mixed lines as well. As is usual with Keyhole, expect to place your own gear for anchors or top roping.
Park at the mouth of Keyhole and follow a progressively fainter road south until it ends just before a wash. Cross the wash to the left that you've been paralleling and follow a faint, yet established, climbers trail that angles up to the base of the cliffs and the thick of it.
Alternatively, if your car is an SUV you can park near (35.7117191, -114.9330140) and hike 0.3 miles Southeast for an easier time.
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Old Pueblo
Please be respectful of the traditional climbing at Keyhole, first instilled by the Stone Masters, and help maintain the longevity and traditional flavor of the area, i.e.
- Never add bolts to established climbs- this includes belays/rappel stations.
- On new routes use gear whenever possible, bolts are always a last resort.
- Lead new climbs ground up, even if top roped or cleaned on rappel first. Jan 9, 2018