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Cottonwood Wash Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Cottonwood Wash

L › R R › L A › Z

	Adderall Space Cowboy T 5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b C1
	Desert Mishap T 5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b R
	Donkey Humped T 5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
	Cosmonaut Junkie T 5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b

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Elevation:	4,842 ft	1,476 m
GPS:	39.08097, -110.43611 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	4,828 total · 36/month
Shared By:	Light .50 on Mar 8, 2014
Admins:	Perin Blanchard, GRK, David Crane Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

Beautiful and remote this canyon is very secluded. A hidden gem in the Northern San Rafael Swell, often overlooked. Cottonwood Wash is scattered with a few climbs throughout. The large expanse of walls gives you an idea just how beautiful and remote this region is. The Rock is good quality Sandstone. Several routes have some exciting starts on loose sandstone but, quickly leads to solid rock.

Pack plenty of drinking water, sunscreen, and other necessities, because there is nothing near here for miles. You may find a spring for drinking purposes but, generally its not the best quality. And, always practice good LNT in the backcountry. Thank you Matt Sandhal and Aaron Childs for sticking it out with me on long belays, fighting the desert heat, and hoards of bugs.

Getting There

Along Highway 6 there is an electrical substation between mile post marker 284 and 285. Turn left or right depending on what direction you are coming from. Be advised this is a high clearance road. Drive approximately 2.5 miles and veer right at the intersection. Smiths Cabin is the next point you will reach at approximately 6 miles, turn right before you reach the cabin. Continue along for 9.8 miles and you should see Cottonwood Wash on the left. A good clue your on Cottonwood Wash Road are power lines. You should be parallel to them as you travel. Depending on the time of season there will be a good amount of water near the mouth.

Make your way west up Cottonwood Wash. Its rather easy travel although, be prepared to trudge through some sand.

The furthest climb is two miles up Cottonwood Wash. The climbing is all traditional and requires a diverse rack. As you make-way up Cottonwood Wash its a good idea to have a map (Mexican Mountain Quadrangle) and one clue, hug the right side of the canyon walls where possible if you find yourself confused. This will help avoid costly time hiking up washes that lead to no were. Michael R. Kelsey gives a great account of navigating Cottonwood Wash in his book "Hiking and Exploring Utahs San Rafael Swell".