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The Jenga Tower and Your Mom's Basement Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in The Jenga Tower and Your Mom's Basement

Jenga Tower 0 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2

Your Mom's Basement 1 / 15 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 16

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Elevation:	6,500 ft
GPS:	32.3805, -110.71211 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	18,491 total · 140/month
Shared By:	NickMartel on Jun 1, 2013 · Updates
Admins:	adrian montaño, Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

This area is downhill from the Rose Hill Crag. It consists of a few towers, but mostly slab climbing on rock varying from water polished macro features and grooves, to chicken-head-esque knobs, to the crimpers left over after exfoliating rock flakes are removed. There are several boulders in the area which could yield some fun climbing, and lots more potential in the surrounding area. The crag is south facing so despite the elevation it can be very hot in the summer, on the other hand it can be climbed throughout the winter even if there is snow on the approach. There is a comfy cave that you can find shelter in during any inclement weather. The Skunk Wall could be bolted for some short routes, or TR anchors can be put in, or it can just be bouldered and/or top roped off of natural anchors. Also, with some brush-clearing the slab to the right of the Jenga Tower that the big fallen tree leans against could yield some cool bouldering or a few short routes. There are several towers farther downhill and a big wall downhill and to the right (west), which are currently a rough bush-whack away, but are almost certainly worth the effort of making a trail to, and exploring them. We would do it if we were not leaving town. Thanks to Mike H and Matt J for joining Kristina and I on a nice day climbing and an exploratory initial bushwhack down here. BEWARE OF SKUNKS!

Getting There

From Rose Canyon Lake cross the dam on the south side and then turn left following a trail that starts paralleling a big fallen tree. Follow this trail to the top of a big ridge/cliff top. Descend to the base of the cliff on the left and you are at the Rose Hill Crag. From the 1st route at the Rose Hill Crag hike downhill 30-50 feet to slab with nice view of the canyon and the highway across the other side. walk down the left side of the slab and down water groove to the 20 tall Jenga Tower, which has 2 routes on it. Continue down the right side (when looking downhill) of the Jenga Tower under big fallen tree and follow the trail down hill, through some switchbacks, along a fallen tree, past a 15 high boulder (with potential for slab and overhanging problems), over a newly fallen tree, down a steeper section, then turning right, cutting across the hillside, into the manzanita, and finally to the top of the cliffs. From the slabs at the top of the cliff jump down from one boulder to a second, continue right and down a 5 groove, and off the slabs the the right. Then jump down 4 foot drop to the left of a tower called the Tiki Head which leans towards the cliff and is held up by very little very hollow rock. FInally continue downhill keeping the cliff on your left to the various flat belay areas and the routes. Continue along in the same direction 75 past the end of Your Moms Basement cliff and you will reach the black and white Skunk Wall on which there is some bouldering and top ropes can be set up. Below the main wall of Your Moms Basement is another tier of rock 8-15 tall, overhanging, with flat landings which could yield some bouldering. Downhill and to the left (Southeast) are two more boulders with potential. Also from the slabs at the top of the cliff you can follow a light trail to the left,scramble over a big, old, gnarly manzanita trunk, and around to a pretty spacious cave with a register. The floor of which has had most of the dirt cleaned off of it and has a small fire pit area. We weathered several BIG monsoon storms in the summer of 2012 in this cave, including the one which knocked down all the trees along Oracle Rd in town, and it is a cozy place to pass the time. 20-30 minute hike in, 30-40 out. Pack it in, pack it out! Enjoy!
-Nick Martel, Kristina Bergdahl. 2012.