Nevada · Rock climbing · Las Vegas

Illusion Crags

Illusion Crags in Nevada has 17 traditional climbing routes across 7 grades.

17 routes
5.5 – 5.11a
Trad

Best time to visit Illusion Crags

Best months: February–May and October–November. 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

    53° / 32°

    4 wet

  2. Feb

    56° / 35°

    5 wet

  3. Mar

    64° / 41°

    4 wet

  4. Apr

    70° / 47°

    2 wet

  5. May

    80° / 56°

    1 wet

  6. Jun

    90° / 66°

    1 wet

  7. Jul

    95° / 73°

    2 wet

  8. Aug

    94° / 72°

    2 wet

  9. Sep

    87° / 62°

    2 wet

  10. Oct

    75° / 50°

    2 wet

  11. Nov

    62° / 38°

    2 wet

  12. Dec

    52° / 31°

    3 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Red Rock Canyon - Spg Mt Rch S, NV, 4.5 mi away at 3,780 ft. The station sits about 1,200 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.

Illusion Crags is a climbing area in the Rainbow Mountain Wilderness of Nevada, on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management's Red Rock/Sloan Field Office. It sits within the wilderness, so it is a remote objective for climbers looking to pair rock with a day spent in the backcountry. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show highs around 70°F in April and 75°F in October, while July and August average in the mid-90s. The area has 17 trad routes, ranging from 5.5 to 5.11a. False Perception is the hardest, and Mirage and David Copperhead are among the more common options. Southern Outcrops and Disappearing Buttress both lie about 0.2 miles away, and Chocolate Rocks is about 0.4 miles off. Red Rock Canyon Campground, roughly 10 miles away, is the closest place to camp.

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