Close to Maple Canyon, it is the less frequented and less developed area.  The rock there is not as absurdly amazing as is Maple rock, but if it were a canyon far from Maple Canyon it would be a very popular destination.  The camping here is free, but undeveloped so be prepared to dig a few holes.  There are two developed areas but they have some fun climbs.  And though it is not very developed, the canyon houses one of the best kids’ routes in the state.  This canyon is worth a visit at least once, if not more.  This page does not follow the typical format because the area is so undeveloped.

School House Rock –

Overall: 

This is a fantastic area for beginners and most definitely children. In fact, it arguably has one of the best kid climbs I have ever seen. If you are looking for a place for your first lead or your kids first lead, this is the place.

This is a picture of a four year old feeling pretty proud of herself at the bottom of the climb.

Routes:

__, 5.0,might be the best kid climb in Utah. From its anchors 100 ft up, our 4 year old yelled, “this is a good kid climb”. That’s saying something.

There are other easy climbs in this area and a few intermediate 5.10 climbs to keep the adults entertained as well. The 10s felt a little stiff when I climbed them, but all the hard stuff is at the bottom as in just the first few moves) and then it mellows out significantly for the length of the climb.  That said, the hard stuff was pretty fun.

You can find information about this area at…

The Mountain Project

Nothing yet from Rockclimbing.com

Maple Canyon Guidebook pgs. _____ (Fill this out!)

Approach:

Zero approach. None. You can belay from your car.

Landing:

Large, perfect, and flat.

Traffic:

We saw two cars and they weren’t climbers the entire day we were there. There were no other climbers the two days we camped there.

Potential Dangers:

You are right next to the road so you need to watch your kids and make sure they are safe when any possible cars come by.

Other Activities:

Camping:

There are lots of sites the entire way up the canyon. Two spots are maybe a two-minutes walk to School House Rock. The camping is free and the sites are beautiful but they only have a fire pit. No bathrooms or water in the canyon.

Cows:

Are kids loved having cows pass by the crag and campsite. I don’t know if they are normally there or not or if it was a freak accident that they got out.

Four-wheeling:

There is a 34-mile ATV trail loop. It ends in Maple Canyon. We saw quite a bit of families on these, You can read more about it here.

Dirt Bike:

Difficulty: 1 out of 5. 20+ miles. The elevation changes from 6200 to 9800.

Scenic Drive:

You can follow the dirt road to the top of the canyon which is gorgeous. If you take a left at the fork at the top you can make it all the way to the top of Maple but the road will be pretty gnarly, 4X4 is a must.

See this Canyon on our Map

 

Overall:

Its a high frequented area that is fun to try but I wouldn’t consider it a repeat. There is a 5.4 that you could lead TR or set up top roped for your child but that would be the only kid friendly climb and you are going to need to set up a 15-18 ft extension off the anchors.

Routes: 

There are a lot of trad routes here but there isn’t a lot of variety and the holds are pretty greased up nowadays. You can top rope basically all of the climbs as well.

You can find information about this area at:

The Mountain Project

Rockclimbing.com

A note for finding beta on the area – Provo is full of college kids that are cheap on money, but whenever they aren’t studying, rich with time. The Mountain Project as a wiki is the best beta I can find for the canyon, even beyond a guide book. A lot of climbing areas are difficult to navigate simply by using Mountain Project, but Rock Canyon has good information.

Approach: 

Time

You are not going to get a better approach in Rock Canyon but it will still take you some time depending on the age of your kids. Maybe 15 minutes.

Difficulty

Any age can do it, just some slower than others. Normal, slightly inclined, trail.

Danger

No danger except normal hiking danger.

Landing:

Perfect.

Traffic:

There are often climbers there. Its one of the more frequented spots, probably because of the access but also because of the TR climbs available as well as the fact that you can top rope the climbs.

Extra Kid Fun:

Nothing extra fun for the kids at this spot.

Potential Dangers:

Only dangers here are typical hiking dangers.

Overall:

This area does have a large variety of climbs for really everybody but they aren’t really all in the same area. They are spread out. So if you want you kids to climb the 5.4 you really only have a 5.7 and 5.8 right next to you.

Routes:

You can find information about this area at:

The Mountain Project

Rockclimbing.com

A note for finding beta on the area – Provo is full of college kids that are cheap on money, but whenever they aren’t studying, rich with time. The Mountain Project as a wiki is the best beta I can find for the canyon, even beyond a guide book. A lot of climbing areas are difficult to navigate simply by using Mountain Project, but Rock Canyon has good information.

Approach: 

Time

It is one of the closer areas, like the kitchen, in Rock Canyon. It will probably take 15 minutes depending on your kids.

Difficulty

Moving off the main trail towards the crag is more steep and might require holding your kids hand and helping them.

Danger

No danger except normal hiking danger.

Landing: 

Traffic:

You are likely to get the route you want.

Extra Kid Fun:

There is a very small cave nearby that you will see as you hiking up there. It can be a fun detour for the kids to see. I’m sure they will ask. But thats on the walk and not at the crag.

Potential Dangers:

Only dangers here are typical hiking dangers.

Overall:

The convenience of this area is amazing. Its perfect for if you little one fell asleep in the car because you basically can belay from a few feet away, just leave the windows down or doors open.

Routes: 

The routes here are on the lamer side. Short and not super interesting but there is a variety of intermediate climbing or warm-ups for an adult.

We aren’t interested in duplicating effort, so you can find information about this area at…

The Mountain Project

Rockclimbing.com

Maple Canyon Guide book Pg. 175-175 (The link is to a site where you can purchase the book.  Really, if you are going to Maple, you should have it.)

Approach:

It can’t be beat. No approach. Just park and you are there.

Landing:

Perfect level ground.

Traffic:

These routes are not high in demand so if you are looking for convenience this is the spot.

Extra Kid Fun: 

Nothing extra fun here.

Potential Dangers: 

Only the road. Since this is farther up in the campground area you won’t have cars zooming past and not many driving up there as it is but still watch your kids because we don’t want any accidents.

Overall:

The Schoolroom is a great destination for climbing with kids.  Honestly, one of the best.  There are climbs for kids, beginners and adults.  The landing is perfect, and it is easy to get to.  It can get busy here, but every time I have come to this area, there are always climbs available.  If you have kids and want to get them on a wall, this area should be at the top of your list.

Routes: 

We aren’t interested in duplicating effort, so you can find information about this area at…

The Mountain Project

Rockclimbing.com

Maple Canyon Guide book Pg. 175-175 (The link is to a site where you can purchase the book.  Really, if you are going to Maple, you should have it.)

Approach: 

Time

This is just past Billy the Kid Wall and won’t take more than 10 minutes even with the tiniest.

Difficulty

Flat and level trail.

Danger

Not really dangerous, but a few years back our then two year old did stumble at the beginning of the hike. She tumbled down a hill that could have potentially hurt her pretty bad. She was fine, but a little shaken up.  You see those videos of miraculous dad saves on YouTube.  That wasn’t me.  I would say, not dangerous, but hold the littles hands at the beginning.

Landing: 

There is an upper and lower section of the Orangutan Wall. The upper section is a few feet higher than the lower on a sort of island that can be steep to get up. While the landing is great in the upper area and great in the lower area the fact that there are two with a steep path between the two can be harder with little kids.

Traffic: 

It can get crowded here because it has so many intermediate level climbs.

Extra Kid Fun: 

I think this area is a lot of fun. You start out crossing a bridge. The approach is a hike past The Pipeline, which has some difficult climbs and usually people good enough to do them. It is pretty fun to watch. Slightly farther up the path is a log crossing a small ravine. It is not super dangerous so my kids and I always like to do it. My dog will even cross it.

Here is a picture of the log.

Potential Dangers: 

There’s the possibility of bigger slips and stumbles with your child  (if they are really small) off the upper area of Orangutan Wall or the super fun log if they get away from you and try it themselves. Though my two year old will just scooch down from the upper level on her bottom and hasn’t gotten hurt.

 

Overall:

This is a super cool wall where almost all the walls pull a wavy roof feature. The climbs for kids but you’ll be entertained here alld ay.

Routes: 

We aren’t interested in duplicating effort, so you can find information about this area at…

The Mountain Project

Maple Canyon Guide book Pg. 161-166.  (The link is to a site where you can purchase the book.  Really, if you are going to Maple, you should have it.)

Approach:

Time

The approach is not right next to the road, but close. With kids as young as two years old it should not take you more than 5 minutes. Its just before Billy the Kid Wall.

Difficulty

Flat groomed trail.

Danger

Not really dangerous, but a few years back our then two year old did stumble at the beginning of the hike. She tumbled down a hill that could have potentially hurt her pretty bad. She was fine, but a little shaken up.  You see those videos of miraculous dad saves on YouTube.  That wasn’t me.  I would say, not dangerous, but hold the littles hands at the beginning.

Landing:

Great.

Traffic:

It is well trafficked but there are lots of routes available so you aren’t likely to have a problem.

Extra Kid Fun: 

None in particular but you do cross a bridge on the way there.

Potential Dangers: 

Just potential for some stumbles.

Overall (climbing for kids): 

This is an awesome canyon with tons of additional fun things for the kids but if you want your day to be about your KIDS CLIMBING then there are better areas because there is only one kid route (5.4). Everything else is basically hard 5.10 and up. Although the beginning of some of these routes can be converted into a kid climb as well  as they are like class 4 climbing to the first bolt.

Overall (crag for adults that is safe for kids):

Now if the day is going to be about YOU CLIMBING and your bringing your kids a long for the adventure than this canyon is perfect. You will have an endless supply of projects and your kids will have a great place to play and explore.

Routes:

You can find information about this area at…

MountainProject.com

Rockclimbing.com

Maple Canyon Guide Book pg. 62-89 (The link is to a site where you can purchase the book.  Really, if you are going to Maple, you should have it.)

Approach:

Time

I kind of depends on which area in the canyon you are going to. You could be looking at a 2 minute approach ora 15 minute approach with kids.

Difficulty

It is a flat approach which makes it easy and kid friendly. The only problem is that its rocky so its not level and my really little kdis tend to stumble and need to hold your hand.

Danger

There are no dangers.

Landing:

Fantastic everywhere in this canyon.

Traffic:

Box canyon always always always has climbers but there are SO MANY areas here that you could always find a route (as long as you can climb at this grade) to get on and I’ve never seen anybody on the kids route if thats what your going for.

Extra Fun:

This is an awesome slot canyon to hike through with kids if you want to keep going. There are also plenty of ‘caves’ and kind of a real one to go in with your kids. Every kid I’ve taken here just LOVES exploring it.

Also, because there are always awesome climbers here it can be really fun to hunker down and watch.

Potential Dangers:

Your kids might be enticed in some areas to go free climbing so keep an eye out and set up some rules so they don’t get stuck anywhere.