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Elevation: 5,142 ft 1,567 m
GPS: 40.56609, -111.804
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 125,318 total · 500/month
Shared By: Peter Gram on May 15, 2004
Admins: Perin Blanchard, GRK, David Crane
Warning Access Issue: Private Property now at the entrance to Bells Canyon. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Bells Canyon is a truly spectacular place to visit. The hike in is worth it alone. Just as beautiful as the neighboring Little Cottonwood Canyon, this canyon feels more remote and has no road. The Bells lie within the Lone Peak wilderness.

The rock on the Bells is generally good near the bottom, but deteriorates higher up on the walls. Be prepared for more of an alpine experience (except with chain anchors!) than in the Cottonwoods. Crowds seem to be kept away from this canyon because of a long approach - at least an hour for any climb. The Bells face south, so the walls get hot in the summer. However, the altitude is higher, so it takes longer for snow to melt in the spring (probably melted out by April).

Getting There Suggest change

Exit on Wasatch Blvd. from I-215. Follow Wasatch past Big Cottonwood Canyon heading south. Stay on Wasatch Blvd. as it approaches Little Cottonwood Canyon (requires a right turn at a stoplight - don't go to LCC). Look for a parking area on the east side of Wasatch at 10245 South. This is the trailhead, which has changed since the printing of Ruckman's book. From here, a popular hiking trail climbs steeply east into Bell Canyon.

32 Total Climbs

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Location: Bells Canyon Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Bells Canyon

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 12
Route of All Evil
Trad 4 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 20
For Whom the Bells Toll
Trad 5 pitches
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 42
Ellsworth-McQuarrie Route
Trad 6 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R
 16
Beckey Route
Trad 4 pitches
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 281
Arm and Hammer
Trad 6 pitches
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b A1
 7
Winged Warrior
Trad, Aid 8 pitches
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 16
Butcher Knife
Trad 4 pitches
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 17
Beast
Trad 5 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c R
 4
Regge Pole
Trad 5 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 14
The Nerve
Trad 3 pitches
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 18
Beauty
Trad 4 pitches
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 7
Kinabalu
Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 6
Root Of Boll Weevil
Trad 7 pitches
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 9
Seeking Joy
Trad 4 pitches
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 13
Cymbals Of The Sun
Trad 6 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Route of All Evil E Bell Tower
 12
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad 4 pitches
For Whom the Bells Toll Waterfall Dome
 20
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad 5 pitches
Ellsworth-McQuarrie Route Middle Bell Tower
 42
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad 6 pitches
Beckey Route W Bell Tower
 16
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R Trad 4 pitches
Arm and Hammer Middle Bell Tower
 281
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 6 pitches
Winged Warrior Middle Bell Tower
 7
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b A1 Trad, Aid 8 pitches
Butcher Knife Middle Bell Tower
 16
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad 4 pitches
Beast Bell's Beast
 17
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad 5 pitches
Regge Pole Middle Bell Tower
 4
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c R Trad 5 pitches
The Nerve W Bell Tower
 14
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad 3 pitches
Beauty Bell's Beast
 18
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad 4 pitches
Kinabalu E Waterfall Dome
 7
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
Root Of Boll Weevil E Bell Tower
 6
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Trad 7 pitches
Seeking Joy W Bell Tower
 9
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Trad 4 pitches
Cymbals Of The Sun Middle Bell Tower
 13
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Trad 6 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Bells Canyon »

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