Idaho · Rock climbing · Arco

Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages in Idaho has 12 sport climbing routes across 10 difficulty grades.

12 routes
5.7 – 5.11a
Sport

Is Rock of Ages 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 Rock of Ages

Best months: April–June and August–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

    30° / 7°

    5 wet · 3 snow

  2. Feb

    35° / 12°

    4 wet · 2 snow

  3. Mar

    46° / 23°

    4 wet · 1 snow

  4. Apr

    57° / 30°

    5 wet · 1 snow

  5. May

    67° / 39°

    6 wet

  6. Jun

    76° / 46°

    4 wet

  7. Jul

    87° / 52°

    2 wet

  8. Aug

    85° / 50°

    3 wet

  9. Sep

    75° / 41°

    4 wet

  10. Oct

    60° / 31°

    4 wet

  11. Nov

    43° / 19°

    4 wet · 1 snow

  12. Dec

    31° / 9°

    5 wet · 2 snow

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Arco, ID, 12.6 mi away at 5,325 ft. The station sits about 1,500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Rock of Ages 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 named climbing spots, including Mortal Earth, American Beauty and Rolling Stone, all about 0.1 mile away. The climbing here is all sport, with 12 routes ranging from 5.7 to 5.11a. Heart of Gold is the easiest at 5.7, and Slow Ride is the hardest at 5.11a. The routes were first ascended between July and August 2017 by climbers including Mike Engle, Natasha Hodges and James Bridge. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Arco show July highs around 87°F and lows near 52°F, while winter highs stay near freezing. That station sits about 1,500 feet lower than the climbing area, so temperatures up high run cooler. For a walk away from the rock, Climber's Path is about 0.8 mile away, and Jumpoff Peak is roughly 5 miles off.

Routes (12)

Orange CrushFA: James Bridge and Natasha Hodges, July 20175.10Purple HazeFA: Mike Engle and Chris Barnes, July 20175.10The JokerFA: Mike Engle and Chris Barnes, July 20175.10-Evil WaysFA: Mike Engle Aug 2017 bolted by Mike Engle and Vern Phinney5.10+Go Your Own WayFA: Mike Engle July 20175.10a/bShakin'FA: Ken Aho and Mike Krumberger, July 20175.10bGoodbye Yellow Brick RoadFA: bolted by Chris Barnes, Vernon Phinney, and Mike Engle, June 20175.10dSlow RideFA: Natasha Hodges and James Bridge, July 20175.11aHeart of GoldFA: Mike Engle and Chris Barnes, July 20175.7You're So VainFA: P1: Jeremy Lubkin, July 2017. P2: Annick Martin and Linda Engle, July 20175.8It's So EasyFA: Natasha Hodges and James Bridge, July 20175.9Octopus's GardenFA: John Schmidt, Vernon Phinney, and Mike Engle, July 20175.9