Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 6,969 ft
GPS: 38.63274, -105.23046
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 428,233 total · 1,514/month
Shared By: Jesse Ryan on Dec 31, 2000 · Updates
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC

Description Suggest change

The Bank is an area with a very large concentration of climbs with ratings from 5.9 to 5.13, many in the 11-12 range. Some of the best climbing at shelf is found on southern section of the right side of the bank on walls called 2150 Wall, Back to the Future Wall, and Surreal Estate Wall, likewise it is one of the most crowded areas of shelf. Just past the Bank Campground along a small BLM road, the Bank consists of the north (right) and south (left) sides of the canyon. The N side faces SW, the south faces NE. So morning shade can be found on the N side and afternoon shade on the S side.

December 2021 update:

The Bank area has been significantly reorganized into smaller subareas. The routes previously in "The Bank" area have been split into the following walls on the north side of The Bank, from left to right:

Piggy Bank, Bank Rob, Machine Gun Kelly, Dave Dangle, Thunder Tactics, Surreal Estate, Back to the Future, Lesser of Two Evils, Ethics? What Ethics?, 2150 Wall, Toasty Corner, Beijing. Each page has a section called orientation within The Bank listing the walss from left-to-right so that yu can browse to nearby walls.

In addition, the following areas have been moved to within The Bank subarea:

The Quarry Wall - also on the north side of The Bank, significantly left of Piggy Bank.

Cactus Rose Cliff - south side of the dirt road, across from Surreal Estate...etc.

Peg Leg Wall - south side of dirt road, across from the north end of Piggy Bank.

The Bank Wash Boulders.

+The map locations for each wall are marked and should help you orient yourself.

Getting There Suggest change

Park at the lot outside the Bank Campground and use the road to begin access to any of the Bank's wall unless climbing routes far to the North in this canyon (past Cactus Rose Cliff on the left or #1 Super Guy and Quarry Wall on the North-right side). If you are climbing routes this farther up (north) the canyon it is possible to drive this bumpy dirt road and park past the climbs where the parking restrictions end. To reach the first 3 walls on the North side of the Bank take the obvious trail off the right side of the road continuing straight (immediate right fork leads to the Dark Side - Luke, I AM your Father). This trail leads you straight towards 2150 Wall. Continue left along the cliff to reach Back to the Future and Surreal Estate Walls. Further down the road an approach trail leads left up to Cactus Rose Wall. Before the road bends left another trail leads right directly up to Surreal Estate Wall. Approach times are 5-20 minutes.

419 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: The Bank Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at The Bank

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
 459
jasonbecker.com
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 259
Number 1 Super Guy
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 338
Lime Street
Sport
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 275
Back to the Future
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 190
Lost Planet Airman
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 64
Thunder Tactics
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 260
Unusual Weather
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 150
Staying Power
Sport
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a
 124
Taping Tendons
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 66
Emperor's Robe
Sport
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a
 219
Heavy Weather
Sport
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a
 105
No Rest For the Wicked
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 35
Future Fossil
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 73
Surreal Estate
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 55
Sparkle In The Rain
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
jasonbecker.com 01. Piggy Bank
 459
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b Sport
Number 1 Super Guy 01. Piggy Bank
 259
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Lime Street 10. 2150 Wall
 338
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Back to the Future 07. Back To The Future
 275
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Lost Planet Airman 10. 2150 Wall
 190
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Thunder Tactics 05. Thunder Tactics
 64
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Unusual Weather 06. Surreal Estate
 260
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Staying Power 06. Surreal Estate
 150
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Taping Tendons 10. 2150 Wall
 124
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a Sport
Emperor's Robe 10. 2150 Wall
 66
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Heavy Weather 06. Surreal Estate
 219
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a Sport
No Rest For the Wicked 07. Back To The Future
 105
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a Sport
Future Fossil 07. Back To The Future
 35
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
Surreal Estate 06. Surreal Estate
 73
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
Sparkle In The Rain 06. Surreal Estate
 55
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in The Bank »

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading