Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 2,937 ft 895 m
GPS: 36.555, -114.89688
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 2,091 total · 54/month
Shared By: Luke EF on Feb 28, 2022 · Updates
Admins: Luke EF, Justin Johnsen

Description Suggest change

Impressive limestone cave in a very secluded location at the south end of the Arrow Canyon Range. The rock quality leaves something to be desired, but there are a good collection of fun routes on overhanging terrain. Bring your biceps and your knee pads.

The cave faces east but is almost completely shaded all day by the surrounding rock.

Getting There Suggest change

Mapping to the GPS coordinates should get you to the parking. If not, here are the driving directions:

From Las Vegas, take Route 93 North towards Ely. After 13.8 miles, take a right onto a good gravel road. This road continues for just under a mile until you reach an intersection with the power lines. Continue straight across onto a narrow dirt road. As of Winter 2022, this road was in pretty good shape and was passable in an old Toyota Sienna. Slightly higher clearance would be ideal, but 2WD should be sufficient unless it has recently poured or the road deteriorates. This road continues for another 0.7 miles to a parking area in front of gate that was locked. Unless the gate happens to be open, park here and walk the rest of the road. The road ends at a Bighorn guzzler on top of a saddle. 

One approach beta (based on the author's experience of following the guidebook beta): from the end of the dirt road, continue straight (east) down the opposite side of the saddle, passing to the right of the rocky mound. Continue down the hill and into the main wash. Turn right, following the wash south. Remain in the wash until you can see the cave on your right, then cut across a small hill and drop down into another rocky wash that heads up towards the cave. At some point, this wash will fork. Take the right fork and continue up until you reach a trail at the base of the cliffs to the right of the cave. Follow this trail to the cave. 1.5 miles and ~45 mins of hiking from the parking at the gate, with a steep finish to reach the base of the cave.

Apparently, there is a faster approach if you stay a bit higher instead of dropping all the way down into the wash. 

5 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: The X-Cave Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at The X-Cave

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 8
Pink Taco
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Pink Taco
 8
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
More Classic Climbs in The X-Cave »

Sun & Shade Suggest change

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

6,000 characters
loading