The Arcane
Ririe, Idaho
| Address: | Burns Creek Rd, Ririe, ID 83443, USA |
| GPS: |
43°36'23.3"N 111°30'47.0"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Idaho |
Rock Climb
The Arcane is a rugged rock-climbing crag in the canyon country of eastern Idaho, up the South Fork Snake River drainage past Heise and the Kelly Canyon area, roughly 23 miles from Idaho Falls. A quieter, off-the-beaten-path destination for climbers, it offers a handful of quality routes in a wild, scenic river-canyon setting.
The crag is known among East Idaho climbers for its concentration of routes and a distinctive cave feature set up the hillside about eighty meters above the approach. With around half a dozen established climbs, it's a fun spot to spend a day on the rock, and its remote feel is a big part of the appeal — you'll often have the place to yourself.
Getting there is part of the adventure: from the end of the pavement it's several miles of dirt road, passing Table Rock Campground and following the river upstream to a small campground near the base of the climbing, so a capable vehicle and good directions (from a current climbing guide or Mountain Project) are essential. There are no services out here.
As with any climbing area, come prepared and climb smart: bring the right gear for the routes, a helmet, a partner, and plenty of water, and know your limits. Respect the land and any access norms, camp only where allowed, and pack out absolutely everything. For climbers looking to explore beyond the well-known Idaho crags, The Arcane is a rewarding backcountry find near Ririe.
More Information
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- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Ririe, Idaho
- Head east on Smith St toward 1st E St (0.3 mi)
- Continue onto Archer Rd (1.6 mi)
- Turn right onto E 200 N/Heise Rd/Poplar Loop (0.9 mi)
- Slight right onto Heise Rd/Poplar Loop (0.2 mi)
- Continue straight onto N 4800 E/Heise Rd/Poplar LoopContinue to follow Heise Rd/Poplar Loop(2.9 mi)
- Slight left onto E 100 N/Heise Rd/Poplar Loop (187 ft)
- Slight left onto N 5050 E (0.4 mi)
- Turn right onto E Heise Rd (2.3 mi)
- Continue straight onto Kelly Canyon Rd (3.5 mi)
- Slight right onto Forest Rd 217 (3.7 mi)
- Continue onto Burns Creek Rd/E Heise Rd (2.6 mi)
The shortest way to access the Arcane Crag is by driving past Kelly Canyon Ski Resort and continue 7.6 miles from where the pavement ends at Lift 4. A little over a mile from where the pavement ends is the Y Junction; stay to the right and follow the road down past Table Rock Campground, eventually reaching the river. From here, continue up river to the Wolverine Creek trailhead and keep going for another 1.5 miles to reach the Arcane. A small camping/parking area is located between the road and the river on the south side of the road. The Arcane crag is directly across the road and up the hillside to the north. A faint climbers trail can be found on either side of the gully leading up to the cliff. ***The 7.6 miles from the end of the pavement is important to know! Several people have gone out to the crag with the idea of approximate distances thinking they will just see the cliff from the road. Don't count on it. The crag is not obvious from certain vantage points along the road and many folks have missed it all together. Best to set your odometer where the pavement ends at Kelly Canyon.Courtesy of deanlords.blogspot.com
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