Rock is likely wet

Why

• Dugout Ranch (UCC57, 6.2 mi): 0.12 in in the last 72 h, ending 18 h ago. Wet window is 48 h.
• MONTICELLO 24NW (MTCU1, 8.9 mi): 0.02 in in the last 72 h, ending 27 h ago. Wet window is 48 h.
• 1 other gauge recorded no measurable rain.
• Rain chance peaks at 4% in the next 12 h.

Rain gauges

Bars show hourly rain over the last 72 h. Tap a gauge to see its full record on MesoWest.

Local guidance

Community ethic Wait at least 24 to 48 hours after rain. Soaked Wingate wears away faster, weakening anchors and gear placements and changing routes for good. Mud on your shoes means it's too wet to climb. Bears Ears NM: Indian Creek (recreation.gov) ↗

• Rock Wingate Sandstone
• Group Fragile when wet: red for 48 h after rain, caution to 72 h (96 h in winter)

Indian Creek on Mountain Project ↗Friends of Indian Creek ↗

Is it actually dry?

Field checks before you tie in

• Is the sand at the base dry? It dries before the rock does; damp sand means wet rock.
• Are the trail and the ground at the cliff base dry? If not, don't climb.
• Look for dark damp patches, moisture behind flakes and inside cracks, and fresh sand on holds.
• Shaded walls, spots under trees and grooves that channel water stay wet much longer.
• Sun and wind dry rock fast; cloudy, calm, humid days slow it down, and winter drying is slow.
• After long, soaking rain the rock can stay wet inches deep. Give it extra time.
• If any part of the route, base included, is wet, pick another climb.
• Not sure? Climb rock that isn't affected by rain, like limestone or granite, until it dries.

Learn more

• Climb Like a Local: Indian Creek ↗ by Access FundLocal ethics for the Creek, including the rule of thumb: mud on your shoes means it's too wet to climb.
• How to Assess Sandstone After Rain or Snow ↗ by Access FundWhy western sandstone can lose up to 75% of its strength when wet, and how long to wait after rain or snow.

Thank you

• Friends of Indian Creek

  For advocating for climbers and climbing areas across Indian Creek and greater Canyonlands since 2004.

  Facebook ↗Instagram ↗

• Access Fund

  For keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment across the country.

  Access Fund is the national climbing advocacy nonprofit. It works alongside local climbing organizations, like the coalitions thanked on each area page, on access, stewardship and education, including how long to wait after rain.

  How to assess sandstone after rain ↗

• Weather data

  Rain gauges via Synoptic Data (MesoWest) from public and private weather networks. Forecasts from the National Weather Service. Model estimates from Open-Meteo when gauges go quiet.