Black Track 5.9, Hidden Falls Wall

Climbed on June 13, 2022. 

Fun Rating: One of my favorite climbs

The longer I live and climb in and around Las Vegas, the more I am convinced that the true climbing season is through the summer. Yes, of course everyone loves the months of perfect temps and sunny days that come in the winter, but who has the time and energy for the crowds? Not the writer of this blog, that’s for sure. The last couple of sunny weekends in February of this year (2024) have been so wild you can’t get a reservation before 1pm same day, and I have to say I’d much rather throw a sun shirt on and climb shady stuff than deal with the loop when it’s as crowded as all that. 

All of that is to say that I do a lot of my favorite and best climbing on the Herbst Tour during the summer months. So much of the good trad in RRC is oriented in a shady aspect, and with a little practice and acclimation the walks in aren’t really that bad. For the low, LOW, price of 100+ degree days you too can climb alone in one of the country’s premier climbing destinations, not a soul to be seen except for the birds and lizards and jumping spiders that you’ll be sharing your belays with.

Getting ready.

We went for Black Track dead in the middle of June, on a day with a balmy high of 97F. Having climbed in Willow many times before, we knew that we’d be deep in the shade at the Hidden Falls wall. After a bit of bushwacking and getting lost on the “Children’s Discovery Trail” we found the short hill that led to the base of the wall. 

On arrival at Hidden Falls there are two routes that immediately grab your attention. On the far left side of the wall is Left Out, another Herbst route that I have yet to get on and looks incredible. Dead in the center of the wall, splitting it in half, is Black Track. Beautifully varnished in its upper 2/3rds, and with an interesting white sandstone flare to gain access to the crack at its base, the route is obvious and undeniable in its presence. We did our little rituals at the base and racked up and then it was time.

Zoe just about to gain access to the crack.

The base of the route is deceptively smooth, polished by water and primarily slopers surrounding a flared and only marginally useful crack. There are some huecos and jugs farther to the right but not really within reach or reasonability. After surmounting the initial weirdness, you’re met with the first and largest of the offwidth pods. Big enough for chicken wings but surrounded by edges and small holds, it’s fairly easy to navigate up into where the crack begins to thin out. 

For the remaining 50-60 feet or so the climb is made up of variable sized rock pods breaking up what is predominantly a hands and fists crack. With some body english, offwidth technique, and one uncomfortably thin layback move the route was climbed, an anchor was established on the bolts at the top, and I was back on my way down. I would come back a couple of months later and climb this again with some friends, and I had even more fun on it the second time. This is a route I highly recommend everyone getting on, there are good sizes for everyone and just enough awkward to keep things interesting.

Offwidth section.

Normally I wrap up with some pseudo-profound statement or natural imagery, as I think about that a lot while I’m climbing and that’s usually on my mind at the end of days out. This time I’ll leave you with my actual thoughts after climbing this route:

Can you believe they did this on passive gear?