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Elevation: 5,022 ft
GPS: 34.83145, -111.75883
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 46,404 total · 212/month
Shared By: Will Cobb on Apr 11, 2006
Admins: Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen

Description Suggest change

The Church Wall hosts everything from single pitch splitter cracks and sport lines to multiple pitch trad lines and a grade IV aid route. The wall faces due south so warmth and sun are the norms.

Getting There Suggest change

Turn off Highway 179 onto Chapel Road heading east. Before reaching the gate and Chapel of the Holy Cross parking area, park in a pullout on the north side of the road. Walk through the chapel parking area and pick up a climbers trail on the eastern edge of the parking area.

Follow the climbers trail about 1/4 mile until it intersects with a wide, well maintained mountain bike trail. Follow the bike trail for another 50 to 100 yards until you are below the large roof that marks Castles in the Sand. At this point look for a wash to your left that cuts straight up towards the cliff. At the top of this wash there is a short 4th class cliff to scramble up. Once on top of this cliff walk to the right end and pick-up the trail again. From this point the trail heads more or less straight up to the cliff base. The Religion Wall is to the right of the Watchtower and the Church Wall is to the left.

This approach takes between 30 and 45 minutes.

20 Total Climbs

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Location: Church Wall and Religion Wall Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Church Wall and Religion Wall

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 11
Broken Arete
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 40
Easy Rider
Trad
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 34
Poop Chute
Trad
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 49
Genesis
Trad
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 33
Follow Your Bliss
Trad
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 12
Centipede
Sport
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 8
Cat Claw
Sport
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 8
Praying Hands
Trad
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 7
Brown Hornet
Trad, TR
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 23
Castles in the Sand
Trad 3 pitches
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 21
Watchtower AKA Last Temptation
Trad
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 22
Alpine Follies Hangover
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Broken Arete Upper Religion Wall
 11
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Easy Rider Lower Religion Wall
 40
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Poop Chute Lower Religion Wall
 34
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Genesis Church Wall
 49
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Follow Your Bliss Church Wall
 33
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Centipede Lower Religion Wall
 12
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Cat Claw Lower Religion Wall
 8
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Sport
Praying Hands Upper Religion Wall
 8
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad
Brown Hornet Lower Religion Wall
 7
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad, TR
Castles in the Sand Church Wall
 23
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Trad 3 pitches
Watchtower AKA Last Temptation Lower Religion Wall
 21
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Trad
Alpine Follies Hangover Upper Religion Wall
 22
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Trad
More Classic Climbs in Church Wall and Religion Wall »

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