Explore this area in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next
Elevation: 5,881 ft 1,793 m
GPS: 45.41763, -111.23067
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 246,069 total · 2,572/month
Shared By: Matt Wenger on Feb 19, 2018
Admins: GRK, Zach Wahrer
Page Updates (admin only)

Description Suggest change

This area is the east side of the Gallatin River of what is generally referred to as “The Canyon”. The bulk to the beautiful gneiss rock formations are found here. Area classics such as Skyline, Spare Rib, Diesel Driver, Pineapple Thunderpussy, and The Waltz are all found in this area.

If you want the highest concentration of great climbs, get an early start and make the ~40 minute hike up to Skyline and Sparerib areas. You won't be disappointed!

Getting There Suggest change

Driving south on Hwy 191 from Four Corners, park just after the “35 mph” bridge, which is about 9.5 miles south of the canyon entrance and just across the river from the Lava Lake trailhead (13 miles from Big Sky stoplight). Cross under the bridge heading north and back up onto the two track, and cut up and right into the woods when the two track ends. Continue along the river for a little under a half mile, and back up into the woods. You will come to an obvious fork in the trail. Left takes you to the Waltz, Pineapple, and Watchtower buttresses. Right takes you towards Blackline, Skyline and Sparerib buttresses.

204 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: East Side Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at East Side

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 218
● Skyline Arete
Trad 6 pitches
Skyline Buttress > Skyline North
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 252
● Sparerib
Trad 2 pitches
Sparerib Area
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c
 66
● Fire Escape
Trad
Fish Face
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 88
● Diesel Driver
Trad
Black Line Buttress
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 90
● Pineapple Thunderpussy
Trad 2 pitches
Pineapple Buttress
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 89
● Black Line
Trad
Black Line Buttress
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 44
● Too Hot to Tango
Trad, TR
Waltz Formation
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 26
● Sky King
Trad
Skyline Buttress > Skyline North
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 26
● Stigmata
Trad
Skyline Buttress > Skyline North
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 13
● Butthole Surfer
Trad
Libido Formation
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 45
● The Fugitive
Trad
Tango Tower
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 17
● Songline
Trad
Wafer
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 21
● Rusty Nail
Trad
Skyline Buttress > Skyline North
5.12+ 7c 28 IX 27 E6 6b
 21
● Paint Hearted Easel Driver
Sport
Tango Tower
5.13- 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E7 6c R
 13
● Der Fruh Lowe
Trad
Skyline Buttress > Skyline North
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Skyline Arete Skyline Buttress > Skyline North
 218
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad 6 pitches
● Sparerib Sparerib Area
 252
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 2 pitches
● Fire Escape Fish Face
 66
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c Trad
● Diesel Driver Black Line Buttress
 88
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
● Pineapple Thunderpussy Pineapple Buttress
 90
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad 2 pitches
● Black Line Black Line Buttress
 89
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
● Too Hot to Tango Waltz Formation
 44
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad, TR
● Sky King Skyline Buttress > Skyline North
 26
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad
● Stigmata Skyline Buttress > Skyline North
 26
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Trad
● Butthole Surfer Libido Formation
 13
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Trad
● The Fugitive Tango Tower
 45
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Trad
● Songline Wafer
 17
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Trad
● Rusty Nail Skyline Buttress > Skyline North
 21
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Trad
● Paint Hearted Easel Driver Tango Tower
 21
5.12+ 7c 28 IX 27 E6 6b Sport
● Der Fruh Lowe Skyline Buttress > Skyline North
 13
5.13- 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E7 6c R Trad
More Classic Climbs in East Side »

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
 Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Add New Photo Drop down
Photos

Couple of nice linkups in Gallatin Canyon.
Couple of nice linkups in Gallatin Canyon.
 24
Gallatin Canyon - East side. First and second buttress just out of frame to the right
Gallatin Canyon - East side. First and second b…
 3

0 Comments