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Hackberry Canyon Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in Hackberry Canyon

Lower Hackberry 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 1

Upper Hackberry 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 1

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Elevation:	5,000 ft
GPS:	37.3657, -111.92224 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	6,435 total · 53/month
Shared By:	Roy Suggett on Apr 5, 2014
Admins:	Andrew Gram, Nathan Fisher, Perin Blanchard, GRK, D C Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

Yet another Grand Staircase adventure! In the upper section of the canyon are vast and wide canyon walls generally consisting of magnificent colors and soft rock mostly. The exception is the "Code Sentry". This 60 ft. spire is about a mile down from the parking area. In the lower section, especially the first mile or so, the narrow 250 foot red patina walls are sufficiently cemented together enough to climb on. This area appears to be in the Navajo, Keyenta, Chinle and Moenave Formations respectively as you move up canyon. The beginning of the canyon is the better rock because it is in the Navajo Formation. With plenty of yet unclimbed faces, cracks, dihedrals, and even a tower (see the route "Code Walker") to generate sweaty palms and a gaping jaw for anyone with an eye for climbing, this is worth the drive!

Getting There

Both ends of this 20+ mile long canyon can be accessed from the Cottonwood Road south of Kodachrome Basin State Park. If you are heading to the Code Sentry Tower then have a good map and find the obscure double track for the Upper Hackberry a few miles south of the Park sign (4.7) on your right. This can be rough and lasts for about two miles. Park in the obvious turn about. The hike to this tower is down the wash/canyon about 15 min.s. You can not miss it. To find Hackers Tower from the north, start at the Park entrance sign of Kodachrome Basin State Park where the pavement ends, set your odometer and travel south on Cottonwood Road for approximately 23 miles to the signed trailhead for Lower Hackberry Canyon. If heading north from HWY 89, Hackberry Canyon is just past (about 6 miles) the bouldering area Cap Rock City and about a total of 13.7 miles from the pavement to the trailhead. The sticky grey clay of the road south of Cap Rock City can be a problem when wet! This is in the Tropic Formation and that grey stuff is made of Bentonite and can soak up water like a sponge and becomes as slick as snot on a glass door knob!
Campsites can be had at the trailhead or further off the road at Cap Rock City (see the details of this area on the Cap Rock City cover page). Water is close at both locations however it will need to be purified. You should plan on bringing your own firewood and a shovel.