Mormon Rocks Rock Climbing

Visible from nearby Interstate 15, these large sandstone formations, which in the past have been called the "Rock Candy Mountains", have been eyed by passing climbers for decades, and despite the ease of access and proximity to a large population of climbers very little documented climbing has gone on here.

Numerous old bolts and the odd piton scattered about suggest climbing has gone on here since the 1950's but very little information is known about the early pioneers. These days few actual climbers frequent the area and popular activities here include hiking, scrambling, rappelling and off-roading.

The rock is a variable quality Miocene-age sandstone with embedded pebbles and cobbles, not unlike that found at Devil's Punchbowl and Texas Canyon. Rock quality can vary from formation to formation and even on different sides of the same formation with the north-facing slabs tending to have the best quality rock.

***** RAIN AND WET ROCK ***** The sandstone at Mormon Rocks is fragile and is very easily damaged when it is wet. Holds rip off and climbs have been and will continue to be permanently damaged due to climbers not respecting this phenomenon. After a heavy storm the rock will remain wet, sometimes for several days. PLEASE DO NOT CLIMB AT MORMON ROCKS during or after rain. A good rule of thumb is that if the ground near your climb is at all damp (and not powdery dry sand), then do not climb. There are many alternatives (granite, quartz monzonite and plastic) nearby.