Wyoming · Rock climbing · Devils Tower

Southwest Shoulder

Southwest Shoulder in Wyoming has 12 climbing routes across 6 grades, offering mixed, sport, and trad styles.

Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

12 routes

5.6 – 5.11c

Trad · Sport · Mixed

Is Southwest Shoulder open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Devils Tower National Monument. It doesn't name Southwest Shoulder, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

Bookstore Closed: November 2-November 3
Park closure covering Devils Tower National Monument · NPS · Devils Tower National Monument
Campground Closed for the Season
Park closure covering Devils Tower National Monument · NPS · Devils Tower National Monument
Stage 2 Burn Restrictions
Park alert covering Devils Tower National Monument · NPS · Devils Tower National Monument

As of Oct 25, 11:30 am MDT · Source: NPS · Devils Tower National Monument. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Southwest Shoulder

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.

Jan
34° / 8°
8 wet · 7 snow
Feb
37° / 11°
7 wet · 6 snow
Mar
47° / 21°
7 wet · 5 snow
Apr
57° / 29°
9 wet · 2 snow
May
66° / 39°
11 wet
Jun
76° / 49°
11 wet
Jul
85° / 55°
9 wet
Aug
85° / 52°
7 wet
Sep
75° / 42°
6 wet
Oct
60° / 30°
7 wet · 1 snow
Nov
45° / 19°
6 wet · 4 snow
Dec
35° / 9°
6 wet · 6 snow

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Devils Twr #2, WY, 0.4 mi away at 3,862 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Southwest Shoulder is a climbing area within Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming, managed by the National Park Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing and hiking destinations, with the Devils Tower Boulder Field and the West Face climbing area both about 0.1 mile away. The area has 12 routes, with grades ranging from 5.6 to 5.11c. Seven are trad routes, four are sport routes, and one is a mixed route. Among the named routes are Tintin Does Doughnuts, a sport route at 5.9, and Dedicated To The Game, a trad route at 5.11c. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 85°F with lows in the mid-50s, while winter brings highs in the mid-30s and regular snow days from December through February. A fee is charged for entry to the monument.