Iowa · Rock climbing · Monticello

Shiprock

5 routes
5.7 – 5.10b
Sport · Trad
Apr–Oct
best months

Shiprock is a climbing area in Pictured Rocks County Park in Iowa, on county land. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with several other areas within a few tenths of a mile, so it works well as a base for exploring the surrounding rock. The climbing here is sport and trad, with five routes on record. The grades run from 5.7 to 5.10b, and the styles include both sport and a single trad route, Social Distance, which was first climbed by Jake DeVolder and Rick Doolittle. Sport routes include Jane at 5.7, Over The Counter at 5.9 and Silk Road at 5.10b. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. Typical averages from the nearby Cascade, IA weather station show May highs around 70°F and September highs around 75°F, with July peaking near 83°F. The closest neighbors are Ice Cave Wall, A Wall and Pictured Rocks, all about 0.1 mile away, and Wild Iowa Wall at 0.2 mile.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Shiprock

    Best months: April–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° / 11°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      32° / 15°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      45° / 26°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      59° / 37°

      10 wet

    5. May

      70° / 49°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      80° / 60°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 63°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 60°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 51°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 38°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      46° / 28°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      33° / 18°

      8 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cascade, IA, 7.5 mi away at 814 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (5)