PRINT: Rock Climbing in Lambs Knoll, Southwest Utah

Lambs Knoll

Utah > Southwest Utah > Saint George

Access Issue: PRECIPITATION AND WET ROCK Details

The sandstone here is easily damaged when wet. Please allow at least 24-48 hours before climbing after any precipitation. If the ground is at all damp, please do not climb on any local sandstone. Consider nearby options on basalt, limestone, granite, or plastic instead.

Description

Lambs Knoll is a beautiful area that happens to sit partially on BLM land just outside of Zion NP and private property. This unique location has allowed for the development of great sport cragging on highly featured sandstone.

The majority of the developed climbing is on the western end of the rock formation. Many of the climbs are shaded all or most of the day. A few of the faces (Ram Wall, Ewe Wall) face west and will get some sun by the early afternoon in the summer. With all of the shade and the 6000' elevation, this area is likely best in the spring and fall, though careful route selection and timing could allow for climbing in the sun on colder days. As with all sandstone in this region, the rock can be soft and crumbly, and this is greatly exacerbated by precipitation. Avoid climbing here after rain to keep the routes intact.

The sectors described on here are generally very close together, and it is very easy to hop between almost any of the crags throughout the day.

This area is partially covered the Todd Goss guidebook, though there are number of climbs missing and very minimalist descriptions of most of the existing ones.

Getting There

From I-15, take Exit 16 and head NE on Hwy 9 to Virgin. Turn left (north) onto Kolob Terrace Road and travel for 10.6 miles. Just after leaving Zion NP (there's a sign), turn left onto a sandy road and immediately bear left uphill to the obvious circular parking area. The trail descends through oak trees to the wash. Turn right and follow the wash for ~200 yards until you see a trail on the left with a rock staircase. If you hit the exit of the slot canyons, you've gone too far.

Location on the map is the parking area.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

a kid TR a wide crack 5m right of the Vagination Alcove.

a cool 5.8 climb through the slot then up the face above

looking straight up an overhanging 5.11? I don't really remember how hard it was 11- if I had to guess

view of rock formation from parking area

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

RockChuckCharlie

The area indicated on the map is nowhere near where this is. Description is correct, and it is labeled on the background map. May 24, 2017

karl vochatzer
Bend, OR

May I offer you an explanation of washer usage?
1) When you are inserting the whole 1/2 inch Powers 5-piece bolt (sleeve and all) through a hanger with a 1/2" diameter hole, then the bolt manufacture's washer is *mandatory* because the head of the bolt is only marginally larger than the hole in the hanger. Over time through repeated movement and stress from falls, the hanger and the bolt head could fail.
2) When you are installing a hanger with a 3/8" diameter hole onto that same 1/2" Powers 5-piece *between* the top sleeve and the bolt head, using the bolt manufacturer's washer is optional. In this configuration the bolt head securely fits against the hanger just as it does to the supplied washer with the same size hole. Note that that bolt stud of a 1/2" Powers 5-piece is only 3/8" diameter which is a perfect fit for the 3/8" diameter hole in that size hanger.

As for the trash, I am appalled by it, too. However, please consider less trash talking online and more of actual helping to leave the crag in better shape than how you found it by carrying some extra out and instilling a good ethic to those around you. All of us outdoor climbers are in this thing together. Aug 10, 2017

Crusty McGumby

I believe those routes were spray painted ground up, on lead. Also as someone who pretty much exclusively guides there and knows guides who clean up poo (not me), I would say I noticed way more fertilizer spread after it was included in guide books/mountain proj. I think the reality here is everybody poops. Aug 31, 2017

Andrea Sipos
Ann Arbor, MI

Don’t bring snacks in your backpack. Ducked into Vagination Alcove and was on the wall for less than 2 minutes before I heard rustling. Squirrels ripped into my bag which was right around the corner and were hard to scare off. They’re fearless. Jul 17, 2022

Ron C
Reno, NV

Beautiful location. Has 8 campgrounds and pit toilet. Cool area. Busy with guiding classes on day we were there. Oct 21, 2022

Jonas Helton
Evergreen

Went there today and followed the location of the climbing on the map and it ended up to be no where close to the actual climbing. The climbing is actually just up the main trail. Jun 5, 2023

Joanna Scott
Summit, NJ

Found a pair of blue Scarpa Instincts size 41 eu here on 6/2. Please reach out if they are yours (posting again since initial comment didn't appear in the app). Jun 3, 2024