Box Canyon Rock Climbing

There are several access issues that make approaching the climbs in this canyon a lot more difficult than it should be. In the old days you could simply drive up the dirt road in to Box Canyon. Slowly over time the quarry has grown larger and houses (and a freeway) have been built closer to this area. Informal arrangements with the quarry allowed climbers to drive through on weekends but those days are no more and a large pit has been dug that now completely blocks off the direct road approach. There is a network of roads that bypass the quarry, coming in from the north side, but the driving is moderately technical. Recent reports have stated that the BLM is only allowing foot traffic through these roads and may hand out citations for driving.

Head west on West Tropical Pkwy until the pavement turns into improved surface. Follow improved surface, and east/west running high power lines until the power lines intersect another set of power lines running north south. Turn south. Follow improved surface for a half mile or so, and fork to the slight right oblique, turning southwest. Continue past one moderate wash, and some gentle switch backs to a brown leather upside down couch. If driving, park at the bottom of certain death hill, unless you have a 4wd then you can continue up certain death hill to the bottom of box Canyon. If no 4wd hike the road up certain death hill, or follow the use trail up the finger ridge. Hike about a mile and one half along the crushed limestone gravel road until it forks. Stay right, and the canyon will come into view. 

For all areas in the canyon, the goal is to eventually make it to the point where the roads split into three. Take the leftmost road which soon ends and enter the main wash here (36.2363, -115.3794). Follow the main wash as it contours left around a bend. See sub-areas for approach instructions from this point.