Park City is ground zero for adrenaline junkies with an urge to “grab some rock”. The town is surrounded by challenging climbing and bouldering areas, all within an hour’s drive. From the Cottonwood canyons and Parley’s Canyon north to Echo Reservoir near Coalville and eastward into the soaring Uinta Mountains, opportunities abound for climbers at every level.

“There’s lots of different kinds of rock within arm’s reach,” grins Andy Jacobsen, veteran climber and owner of “The Mine,” a state-of-the-art bouldering gym in Newpark. “It all depends on what kind of rock you want. The Uintas along the Mirror Lake Highway above Kamas have fantastic sport climbing and bouldering. Big Cottonwood Canyon has a lot of quartzite and Little Cottonwood is legendary for granite walls. If you want to try climbing on limestone, head for American Fork Canyon,” he says.

55Jacobsen says his favorite summer climbs are above Ruth’s Lake on the Mirror Lake Highway (Hwy. 150). “That’s the place for cliff climbing. There’s an extensive range of routes from easy to difficult.”

Just $16 buys a day pass at The Mine, where climbers learn the sport or hone their skills on a sprawling bouldering wall. Rental gear is available.

Similarly, AlpenFit of Park City features 3,000 square feet of climbing surface, with padded floors for a cushy landing in lieu of ropes. If you’re a climbing novice, AlpenFit also offers classes covering safety, gear and climbing techniques.

visitutah.com

alpenfitpc.com

minebouldering.com

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