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The X-Cave

Nevada > Southern Nevada

Description

Impressive limestone cave in a very secluded location at the south end of the Arrow Canyon Range. The rock quality leaves something to be desired, but there are a good collection of fun routes on overhanging terrain. Bring your biceps and your knee pads.

The cave faces east but is almost completely shaded all day by the surrounding rock.

Getting There

Mapping to the GPS coordinates should get you to the parking. If not, here are the driving directions:

From Las Vegas, take Route 93 North towards Ely. After 13.8 miles, take a right onto a good gravel road. This road continues for just under a mile until you reach an intersection with the power lines. Continue straight across onto a narrow dirt road. As of Winter 2022, this road was in pretty good shape and was passable in an old Toyota Sienna. Slightly higher clearance would be ideal, but 2WD should be sufficient unless it has recently poured or the road deteriorates. This road continues for another 0.7 miles to a parking area in front of gate that was locked. Unless the gate happens to be open, park here and walk the rest of the road. The road ends at a Bighorn guzzler on top of a saddle. 

One approach beta (based on the author's experience of following the guidebook beta): from the end of the dirt road, continue straight (east) down the opposite side of the saddle, passing to the right of the rocky mound. Continue down the hill and into the main wash. Turn right, following the wash south. Remain in the wash until you can see the cave on your right, then cut across a small hill and drop down into another rocky wash that heads up towards the cave. At some point, this wash will fork. Take the right fork and continue up until you reach a trail at the base of the cliffs to the right of the cave. Follow this trail to the cave. 1.5 miles and ~45 mins of hiking from the parking at the gate, with a steep finish to reach the base of the cave.

Apparently, there is a faster approach if you stay a bit higher instead of dropping all the way down into the wash. 

Routes from Left to Right

5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 3
Crash Test Dummy
Sport
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 3
Hideous Taco
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 8
Pink Taco
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 6
The Warm Up
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 1
Fighting Falcons
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Crash Test Dummy
 3
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Sport
Hideous Taco
 3
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
Pink Taco
 8
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
The Warm Up
 6
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Fighting Falcons
 1
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Overview
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More than 25 bolted, over hanging sport routes.
[Hide Photo] More than 25 bolted, over hanging sport routes.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Matthew Robison
Las Vegas
[Hide Comment] This shelter has been bolted with chains, and cable. There are a few TR routes outside the shelter on the smooth limestone face. People are caching their 70m rope, carpets, and gear. It smells like piss, and skunks. Clean up your trash! Mar 20, 2022
Tom Ashley
Las Vegas, NV
[Hide Comment] The last driveable half mile or so is blocked by a gate that has a chain and a lock. This appears to be there to prevent vandalization of a well and cistern that provides water for bighorns. Apparently the chain has been cut by climbers in the past, but two people can easily lift the gate off the hinges. Probably best if we all do this instead of cutting the chain again. Jan 15, 2023
Kyle Smith
Southern Nevada
[Hide Comment] Alternatively: don't attempt to bypass locked gates???!? Jan 16, 2023