Idaho · Rock climbing · Arco

Dark Side of the Moon

Dark Side of the Moon is a climbing area in Idaho with 8 routes.

8 routes
5.8 – 5.10b
Sport

Is Dark Side of the Moon open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Salmon-Challis National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Salmon-Challis National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Dark Side of the Moon

Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

  1. Jan

    27° / 13°

    11 wet

  2. Feb

    30° / 15°

    9 wet

  3. Mar

    40° / 23°

    11 wet

  4. Apr

    51° / 31°

    10 wet

  5. May

    62° / 40°

    11 wet

  6. Jun

    72° / 46°

    7 wet

  7. Jul

    83° / 56°

    3 wet

  8. Aug

    82° / 54°

    4 wet

  9. Sep

    71° / 45°

    5 wet

  10. Oct

    56° / 34°

    7 wet

  11. Nov

    39° / 22°

    9 wet

  12. Dec

    27° / 13°

    11 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Arco 17 Sw, ID, 29.9 mi away at 5,920 ft. The station sits about 1,100 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Dark Side of the Moon is a climbing area in Idaho's Salmon-Challis National Forest, within the Lost River Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits among several other climbing spots, including Sea of Joy, American Beauty and Cannonball Wall, all about 0.1 mile away. The climbing here is all sport, with eight routes ranging from 5.8 to 5.10+. Crazy Diamond and Freebird are the easiest at 5.8, and White Rabbit is 5.10b. Golden Years, bolted in 2018, is 5.9+. Summer is the most comfortable time to climb. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Arco show July highs around 83°F with lows near 56°F and only about three wet days. That station sits roughly 1,000 feet lower than the area, so temperatures on the rock run cooler. Winter is cold, with January highs near 27°F. Climber's Path is a hike about 0.8 mile away, and Jumpoff Peak is about 5 miles off.

Routes (8)

Wish You Were HereFA: bolted by Chris Barnes, Vernon Phinney, & Mike Engle, Sept 20175.10Cherts So GoodFA: bolted by Chris Barnes, Mike Engle & Vernon Phinney, June 20185.10-Dream WeaverFA: bolted by Mike Engle and Vernon Phinney, Sept 2017; FFA: Kira Engle & Kevin Macartney, June 2018;5.10+White RabbitFA: bolted by Chris Barnes, Vernon Phinney, and Mike Engle, Sept 20175.10bCrazy DiamondFA: bolted by Mike Engle, Chris Barnes, & Vernon Phinney, Sept 2017; FFA: Mike Engle and Linda Engle Sept 20175.8FreebirdFA: bolted by Vernon Phinney and Chris Barnes, Sept 2017; FFA: Linda Engle and Annik Martin Sept 20175.8Another One Bites the DustFA: Vernon Phinney and Mike Engle, July 20185.9Golden YearsFA: bolted by Chris Barnes, Mike Engle & Vernon Phinney, July 20185.9+