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Visiting St George, Need Advice

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NC Rock Climber · · The Oven, AKA Phoenix · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 60

I am meeting two of my best friends from grad school in St George for a few days of climbing and hiking. Both are active guys that can tie their own figure eights, but neither frequently climbs outside. On top of that, I am nursing a shoulder injury. With that in mind, 5.8 or 5.9 is going to be the limit for the group. We already have a house (airbnb.com is awesome!), so my main concerns at this point are good beer, good food and where to climb.

Should I bring good beer with me or can I get it there? If I can get it in St G, where?

What restaurants have good food?

What crags have easy climbs that our group can do? I can lead most anything in the range we are talking about, trad or sport. Also, I have a high clearance 4x4, and don't mind getting off the beaten track to enjoy some good climbing and relative solitude.

Is there anything in our range in Zion?

If you have any other advice or input on things to do / avoid, I would really like to hear it.

Thanks!

Leify Guy · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2013 · Points: 367

Should I bring good beer with me or can I get it there? quote>

Yes, if you want the good stuff, bring it with you

Brian in SLC · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Oct 2003 · Points: 21,711
NC Rock Climber wrote:Should I bring good beer with me or can I get it there? If I can get it in St G, where?
Great beer at the state liquor stores. It won't be cold, so, plan for that.

If you're driving in from Nevada you can stop and pick some up enroute. Mesquite has Lee's Liquor, which, usually has a great selection. Prices are pretty ok, too, but, honestly, the state liquor stores have a decent selection and prices. See here:

abc.utah.gov/products/index…

NC Rock Climber wrote:What restaurants have good food?
That'll be a bigger crux. I hear rumor of good sushi. Pancho and Lefty's has ok Mexican food and decent margs, but... Bearpaw Diner has great breakfast and really good coffee (and will fill a to go thermos too).

NC Rock Climber wrote:What crags have easy climbs that our group can do?
Database on this site will work for you. Just put in the grade range you want and, voila. Black Cliffs, Kelly's, Soul Asylum, etc.

NC Rock Climber wrote:Is there anything in our range in Zion?
Not really. Some craggin' but limited in your grade range. That said, worth going as its spectacular scenery. Tends to be colder there and more shady this time of year though. TR the Cave Route. Some stuff below the GWT. Do a canyon (permit and beta at the park circus).
NC Rock Climber · · The Oven, AKA Phoenix · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 60

THANKS! I really appreciate you guys taking the time to help me out. Anyone else have any input?

Leify Guy · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2013 · Points: 367
NC Rock Climber wrote:THANKS! I really appreciate you guys taking the time to help me out. Anyone else have any input?
If you feel like spending some extra money on dinner, Anasazi steak house is awesome...

as for good climbs in your range, there are tons of options, it just depends on whether you want to climb sand stone, limestone, basalt, and if you want to be around other climbers, or be alone at the crag.
Thaddeus VanDenBerghe · · Salt Lake Sizzle, Utah · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 55

Mellow craggin/hiking to be had at Snow Canyon State Park. Also Prophesy Wall or Black Rocks.

Jazzy Java, in the past, has been a popular climbers watering hole.

darrell hodges · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2008 · Points: 380

In my opinion, the best wall down there for fun easy routes is Prophesy Wall. Check it out.
For food - Irmitas is good. Mexican.

Austin Baird · · SLC, Utah · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 95

For food - drive out to the town of Veyo (about 15 miles north of StG) and go to Veyo Pies. Get their mountainberry pie, sour cream and lemon, chocolate, and coconut. Bring some up to me in SLC if you feel like making a friend.

NC Rock Climber · · The Oven, AKA Phoenix · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 60

Thanks for all the info. Any other suggestion on easy / moderate crags? I want to make sure that my buds have a good time, so easier is probably better. Thanks again!

steve edwards · · SLC, UT · Joined May 2004 · Points: 645
In my opinion, the best wall down there for fun easy routes is Prophesy Wall. Check it out.
For food - Irmitas is good. Mexican. Text


Yes on both. Just east of Irmitas (which is a taqueria and has no beer) is George's, a pub, that's decent. Much better food than Jazzy's, and the same beer. It's next to a Thai place that's okay and below the Painted Pony, which is one of (haven't been to Anasazi) only existing good high end restaurants in town.
If you're out near Kayenta (on the way to all the limestone places) the restaurant there, Xetava Gardens, has good, healthy food and a decent beer selection. Super casual so you could go after climbing. I think they have weird hours but, frick, it's St George. That's normal.

There's a new climbing area near there that's on this site. Parking is almost right across the street from the Kayenta entrance. It called Shotgun Alley. Pretty short, weird-ish rock, but lots of easy stuff that might fit your bill.

On the limestone, most of the easy route are pretty sharp. The Solstice is kind of interesting but it's always in the sun, so keep that in mind.
Ken Noyce · · Layton, UT · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 2,648
NC Rock Climber wrote:Thanks for all the info. Any other suggestion on easy / moderate crags? I want to make sure that my buds have a good time, so easier is probably better. Thanks again!
There's a lot of easy stuff in St. George. For shorter easy routes you can check out Black Rocks or Green Valley Gap, if you want longer easy routes head to Prophesy wall as has been suggested, or check out the circus wall in Snow Canyon State Park. There is some easy stuff in the limestone areas, but generally the easier routes there are really sharp and not that great, so I'd stick with the stuff closer to St. George if I were you.
BackAtItAgain · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2011 · Points: 15

This place is the REAL DEAL and cheap - no beer though..

yelp.com/biz/el-coyote-char…

Al Pastor tacos are best ever!

2nd the Prophecy Wall - mini Red Rocks

steve edwards · · SLC, UT · Joined May 2004 · Points: 645

Holy crap! I hadn't heard of that place, Backatit. So psyched, now, for the next trip. Thanks!

Ryan Hill · · Denver, CO · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 30

Benja's for sushi, surprisingly good for southern Utah.

In Zion the best (only?) route I can suggest in the 5.9 range is Ashtar Command. Two pitches, one of 5.8 hand crack and another of 5.9 sport climbing. Beautiful rock and a cool mini-summit.

Prophesy Wall is great. In addition to the other crags mentioned here you should check out Utah Hills. The Soul Asylum has fantastic lime stone sport in the 5.8-5.12 range. Definitely good to have high clearance 4x4. Easy to camp out there, or just spend a day, it is unlikely you will run into anyone else.

If you want to have a good old fashioned hike in the wilderness there is endless adventure in the backcountry of Zion and Snow Canyon. Talk to Bo Beck at the Desert Rat for local beta, he is an encyclopedia.

darrell hodges · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2008 · Points: 380
BackAtItAgain wrote:This place is the REAL DEAL and cheap - no beer though.. yelp.com/biz/el-coyote-char… Al Pastor tacos are best ever!
This place sounds awesome.
After reading the YELP I almost want to go to St George to eat there.
THanks for the tip.
Austin Baird · · SLC, Utah · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 95

One other option is to join the Southern Utah Climbers Coalition and then get a key to the gate at Crawdad Canyon. $30 for a year to join, so probably not worth it unless you're planning on making it out there at least a couple of times. But once you get in, you'll have a couple hundred routes from 5.5 - 5.13 all within 15 minutes of walking from your car. Short routes, all sport, pretty fun climbing, but with an awesome location.

Shiho · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 100

Led by sheep in Zion is good (5.7, 4 long pitches) Cool summit and hike is beautiful.

Cowboy ridge is another 5.7 in Zion. It's mostly 3rd/4th class with occasional one move 5th class mixed in. There really is only one pitch of 5.7. Lots of walking. I thought it was worth it.

NC Rock Climber · · The Oven, AKA Phoenix · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 60

Thanks! I really appreciate all the info!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Southern Utah Deserts
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