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Elevation: 3,478 ft
GPS: 37.37404, -114.55026
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 85,995 total · 401/month
Shared By: Francis Baker (fran) on Aug 14, 2006
Admins: Luke EF, Justin Johnsen
Warning Access Issue: Be respectful of, and do not climb on or around, rock art here and everywhere DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

An obvious wall of clean tuff lies 17 miles south of Caliente on SR 317. The cliffs are just off the road. The road is graded dirt and can get washed out. The climbing is both sport and trad. There are beautiful corners and clean, blank face climbs with bolts. The rock is similar to Smith Rock. This is a remote area with no facilities. Climbing can be had year round although winters can be cold and summer gets hot! Watch the weather as the road can get washed out anytime of year.

"About 65% of the routes were put by me (Michelle Locatelli) and Richard Harrison, 30% by Gary Fike, and the remaining 5% by others, including Bob Finlay and John Middendorf, two of the area 'pioneers.' Much assistance was given by Gary's wife Tanya and Richard's daughter Lisa. All the routes are named and each has a great story to go with its first ascent. We put much sweat and money into the project, hoping to create a peaceful area for locals. So we resisted putting out a guide book. The area was also a sensitive riparian corridor before the big flood and we thought it best to keep it low key. We have had problems with plagiarism (some just trying to make a buck), false info and taking of credit where it wasn't due by some visitors to the cliffs. So at long last we have decided to put together a correct guide for Rainbow. The area is very special; a great mixture of cracks and chimneys, superb technical face climbing and awesome aretes. Please enjoy the routes, keep the place clean and spend some money in nearby Caliente while you're there."

Getting There Suggest change

Find your way to Caliente, Nevada and head south on SR 317 for 17 miles. There is also a dirt road heading NE off of 93 (Kane Springs Rd.) that will take you to Elgin and SR 317; from there a short drive N will get you to the cliff. I recommend at least a 4x2 with some ground clearance. The latter route is shorter but can take just as long and there are no services (bring a gas can). The GPS location is a guess based on the map.

"Kershaw-Ryan campground is a couple of minutes from the climbing crags in Caliente. It sees very little traffic. The elevation is 4395 feet which makes for tolerable summer temps, especially in the morning, and evenings. This campground/state park was opened to camping in March 2009. It has modern bathrooms (flush toilets), water, showers, a wading pool, kids play area, and a volleyball net. Not a bad place to stay if you're checking out the climbing in the area, or just passing through- especially good for kids/climbing families." - Dirty Gri Gri, or is it GiGi?

66 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Rainbow Canyon

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 10
Poke on Sunday
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 16
Druce Crack
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 11
Grey Cat
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 11
Disneyesque
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 8
Lightning Strikin' Again
Trad
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 14
Sexual Basalt
Trad
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 6
Vancelot
Sport
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
 21
Finlay Crack
Trad
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 6
A Quarter and a Half
Trad
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 11
Caliente Crack
Trad 2 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 5
Disco Inferno
Sport
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 4
Come and Get It
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 9
Air Farce One
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 8
Flash for Cash
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Poke on Sunday 1. Sandy Cove Area
 10
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
Druce Crack 1. Sandy Cove Area
 16
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Grey Cat 2. The Arêtes (a.k.a.…
 11
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Disneyesque 1. Sandy Cove Area
 11
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Lightning Strikin' Again 2. The Arêtes (a.k.a.…
 8
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Sexual Basalt 2. The Arêtes (a.k.a.…
 14
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Vancelot 3. The Pyramid (a.k.…
 6
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Finlay Crack 2. The Arêtes (a.k.a.…
 21
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b Trad
A Quarter and a Half 4. Intimidator Wall
 6
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
Caliente Crack 2. The Arêtes (a.k.a.…
 11
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad 2 pitches
Disco Inferno 1. Sandy Cove Area
 5
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Come and Get It 3. The Pyramid (a.k.…
 4
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Air Farce One 2. The Arêtes (a.k.a.…
 9
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Flash for Cash 2. The Arêtes (a.k.a.…
 8
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
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