Big Cottonwood Canyon

Big Cottonwood Canyon

A GREEN link means that there are adult and kid climbs in that area. Click on it for more information so you can know if it will work for your family. A YELLOW link means there are no kid climbs but you can bring the family along as you climb. The areas are then rated from 1-5 cheerios (1 being the worst area to take your family and 5 being the best). A RED link means that it is essentially a no go. Click and find out the reasons why so you can make your own decision.

What You Should Know

Big Cottonwood Canyon is a huge canyon with hundreds of routes. Some of the crags are right off the road but some require 30-minute to 2-hour hikes. A few of the picnic areas require fees.

Climbing

Aquaworld

Approach is about 10-15 minutes for an adult. Probably 20-25 minutes with children. This is a steep approach with some flat trails and with loose talus which is a danger. I would not recommend taking children on this approach. The way down is even worse.

The Aqueduct Area three-cheerios

Autumn Wallpic51

Like Creekside and Dark Star Gully, this is a quick approach if you cross the river. Your best bet is late summer and Autumn to do this but I wouldn’t make this venture with kids. It is possible to get here from the Storm Mountain Picnic Area. Its going to be a much longer approach which makes it less appealing for kids. This is the landing June 2017 ->

Beachball Crag 

Important: Water danger! Take precaution. All routes in this area are Trad. Some are TR. Not all the Trad routes have anchors (apparently some have been chopped…)

Challenge Buttress four-and-a-half-cheerios

Creekside Crag

This is accessed by crossing the river which isn’t possible for a lot of the season and just really isn’t doable with kids. Your best best is in the late summer or Autumn. Doing that, however, it would be a very short approach. The routes are mostly Trad and TR, ranging from 5.6-5.11a.

Dark Star Gully

Like Creekside, Seldom Scene Gully and Autumn Wall, this is a quick approach if you cross the river. Your best bet is late summer and Autumn to do this but I wouldn’t make this venture with kids. It is possible to get here from the Storm Mountain Picnic Area. Its going to be a much longer approach which makes it less appealing for kids and I steep descent back down a gully. June of 2017 the landing was in the river.

Dogwood Crag four-cheerios

Short approach, next to a beautiful river, picnic area, and toilets.

Highlander 

Super short, flat and easy approach. However, the belay spot/landing is above after a scramble.

pic42 pic43

The Intruder Wall three-cheerios

Very close to and similar to The Wave Wall as it is also just off the road.

JHCOB Wall two-and-a-half-cheerios

Almost all Trad and loose rock.

Narcolepsy Area

Though its a short approach it is too steep for young kids and has a lot of loose talus.

Penitentiary Wall

Steep approach on a loose talus slope. The landing is also on this slope.

Salt Lake Slips

Its a very popular area. You might see some youth groups there as well. Its a more shaded and cool area for the hot summer. There is a quick approach across the river if the water is low. This is not recommended for kids and is probably dangerous for adults during several times of the year. There was once an approach called the Tyrolean Traverse but that does not exist anymore.  The safest way to get to climbing routes is by entering through the Storm Mountain picnic area, crossing the bridge, and walking west past the Storm Mountain Amphitheater. Then go up the hill, to the gully above the Slips, and hike down toward the Slips. It is a longer 20 minute approach with your kiddos. It has some great climbs for beginners and kids. As of now, I don’t have more detailed information regarding the landing.

Seldom Scene Gully

Like Creekside and Autumn Wall, this is a quick approach if you cross the river. Your best bet is late summer and Autumn to do this but I wouldn’t make this venture with kids. It is possible to get here from the Storm Mountain Picnic Area. Its going to be a much longer approach which makes it less appealing for kids. It also looks like a steep descent to get there.

The Speed Trap three-cheerios

Just off the road which can be dangerous depending on the age of your child.

Storm Mountain Picnic Area four-and-a-half-cheerios

Short approach, playground for kids, picnic area, and flushing toilets.

The Wave Wall three-and-a-half-cheerios

On the road which can be dangerous depending on the age of your child.

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