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Elevation: 7,192 ft 2,192 m
GPS: 42.73506, -108.82392
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 31,562 total · 280/month
Shared By: Hunter R on Jun 23, 2017 · Updates
Admins: The Morse-Bradys, Mike Snyder, Taylor Spiegelberg, Jake Dickerson

Description Suggest change

The Heavy Metal Rock Band is the 2nd rightmost developed crag on the Shady Side. This cliff band takes nearly 10 minutes to traverse with over 40 routes clustered on several sections of cliff. West-facing with AM shade under a nice canopy of trees. It is a mix of flawless pocketed Bighorn Dolomite and scabby mud rock. Climbing ranges from 5.7 to 5.13. There are several Sinks classics to be had at this wall.

Getting There Suggest change

To get to the Heavy Metal Rock Band, park at the Popo Agie Campground (AKA Swinging Bridge). Cross the swinging bridge and take the nature trail that heads slightly left and up several steps. When you reach a T intersection with a sign pointing left for the nature trail, turn right. Continue on this trail through a fence boundary and stay left at an intersection. Shortly after you begin walking uphill and enter the trees, you will turn left on the Catalyst Trail, which passes between 2 house sized boulders in about 100 feet. This trail is manicured for bicycling with berms, jumps, and the like. Continue uphill through the forest until the cliff band is reached. 

The Forest Service closed the Catalyst Trail a couple of years ago--a sense of humor they have not.  There is no sign now at the "first significant trail going left" so you have to keep an eye out to see the old trail which is not as obvious as it was but goes through a bunch of broken tree parts the Forest Service piled there.  Otherwise, the above description still holds true.

42 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Heavy Metal Rock Band

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 44
● The Bees Made Honey in the Lion’…
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 56
● A Smile Through a Veil
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 102
● Surround Sound
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 78
● Boots of Lead
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 74
● War Pigs
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 86
● Dimebag Darrell
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 134
● Spinal Tap
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 53
● Hand of Doom
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 39
● Ride the Lightning
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 74
● Goodnight Gorilla
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 58
● The Amp that Goes to 11
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 42
● Cowboys from Hell
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 44
● Animal Sounds
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 36
● Goodnight Moon
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 15
● Darkness on a Leash
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● The Bees Made Honey in the…
 44
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
● A Smile Through a Veil
 56
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
● Surround Sound
 102
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
● Boots of Lead
 78
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
● War Pigs
 74
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
● Dimebag Darrell
 86
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
● Spinal Tap
 134
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
● Hand of Doom
 53
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
● Ride the Lightning
 39
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
● Goodnight Gorilla
 74
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
● The Amp that Goes to 11
 58
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
● Cowboys from Hell
 42
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
● Animal Sounds
 44
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
● Goodnight Moon
 36
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
● Darkness on a Leash
 15
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in Heavy Metal Rock Band »

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