Moderate routes, easy access, and nice climbing on blocky quartzite, means the S-Curves in Big Cottonwood Canyon is among the more well known climbing areas along the Wasatch Front. The S-Curves have a wide variety of bolted routes from easy, to Jedi Master-only roofs.
Among the buffet table of grades at the S-Curves, there is something to challenge every climber, from newbies to grizzled experts. One can find easy 5.5 climbs such as “Little Feat” on the Upper S-Curves, to the seemingly impossible 5.13d classic “Dog Eat Dog,” a huge roof among the lower wall routes.
Other classic climbs at the S-Curves include “S-Curve Overhang” (5.11c), “Madison Avenue” (5.10d), “Black Monday” (5.11a), and “Megalopolis” (5.11a). These are all pretty difficult routes, but there are many moderate 5.8 and 5.9 climbs such as “Clean Underwear” (5.9), and “Geronimo” (5.8)
The S-Curves also includes a place known as “The Pile,” which has a few moderate sport climbs inside a beautiful, small canyon with a nice stream that flows below the routes. Climbing there is a good, shady option for hot days and includes fun routes like “Gomer Pile” (5.10a).
Any way you slice it, The S-Curves is a fun place to spend a day, no matter your climbing ability. Added bonus: the S-Curves are on south-facing cliffs, meaning it’s always in the sun, and rarely gets buried in much snow for year-round pump-fests. But if you want to tick off a bunch of climbs in a day, get there early as the moderate routes fill up fast.
Where to go: Drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake City for 4.25 miles. Park at the parking lot right at the S-Curves in the road. From the lot, follow a set of wooden stairs to the road above the curves and cross here. Follow a trail directly into the canyon to find The Pile, or pick up a trail that goes to the right up the hillside which leads to the S-Curves. After a few switchbacks, continue straight toward the cliffs where the lower and upper wall routes are located.
Must have: Rock Climbing the Wasatch Range. It’s the bible for rock climbing guidebooks in the Wasatch Mountains with route descriptions, photos and detailed topos.