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Elevation: 7,177 ft 2,188 m
GPS: 45.43962, -110.96051
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Shared By: Joe Wagner on Oct 24, 2023
Admins: GRK, Zach Wahrer
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Warning Access Issue: Potential road closures in winter. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

The Amphitheater is home to some classic water ice 3s and 4s and a high concentration of mixed and dry routes. It's also quite popular for both climbers and gawkers due to it being an easy 15 minute walk from the trailhead. You can access the top of the cliff by walking around to the left, but it's not recommended. Leading fat chance is more fun and probably safer due to thick bush whacking combined with short sections of icy rocks and deep snow.

Getting There Suggest change

Take the main trail south out of the Grotto Falls parking lot for about 15 minutes. At this point you will encounter a fork in the trail. Take the left fork. You will see the Amphitheater to your left in about 15 meters. If you're planning to climb at switchback falls you should continue up the trail about 100 meters where you will find the first of two switchbacks. After the second switchback you'll see Switchback Falls on your left.
The coordinates of the main cliff are: 45.44021007876399, -110.95987927998662

19 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Amphitheater Area

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
WI3
 72
● Switchback Falls
Ice
WI3
 121
● Fat Chance
Ice
WI4-
 82
● Thin Chance
Ice
M7
 18
● Sun Burn
Mixed
M5
 35
● White Zombie
Mixed
M6
 21
● Desert Dance
Trad, Mixed
WI4 M4
 42
● Fly Paper
Mixed, Ice
M6+
 9
● The Oasis
Sport, Mixed
M6
 6
● Desert Princess
Sport, Mixed
M8
 4
● Desert Storm
Sport, Mixed
M7
 4
● Bone Dry
Sport, Mixed
WI4+
 4
● Mustache Ride
Ice
WI4 M5+
 5
● Snoochie
Mixed, Ice
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Switchback Falls
 72
WI3 Ice
● Fat Chance
 121
WI3 Ice
● Thin Chance
 82
WI4- Ice
● Sun Burn
 18
M7 Mixed
● White Zombie
 35
M5 Mixed
● Desert Dance
 21
M6 Trad, Mixed
● Fly Paper
 42
WI4 M4 Mixed, Ice
● The Oasis
 9
M6+ Sport, Mixed
● Desert Princess
 6
M6 Sport, Mixed
● Desert Storm
 4
M8 Sport, Mixed
● Bone Dry
 4
M7 Sport, Mixed
● Mustache Ride
 4
WI4+ Ice
● Snoochie
 5
WI4 M5+ Mixed, Ice
More Classic Climbs in Amphitheater Area »

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Photos

Nathan Norby on Thin Chance
Nathan Norby on Thin Chance
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