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Little Red Corner (AKA Bat Corner) Climbing Guide

Grand Junction, Colorado United States
finger crack
soft sandstone
bat habitat
single pitch
toprope option
trad gear
spring climbing
west-facing wall
Length: 50 ft
Type: Trad, TR
Stars
Pitches
1
Location
Little Red Corner (AKA Bat Corner)
Aspect
South Facing

Overview

"Little Red Corner unfolds on an earthy red corner crack, perfect for finger jams and liebacks in mellow sandstone. This approachable, single-pitch climb offers a slice of Unaweep Canyon's unique trad scene, ideal for an afternoon session or a gentle lead."

Little Red Corner (AKA Bat Corner) Climbing Guide

Little Red Corner—known locally as Bat Corner—offers a straightforward yet quietly compelling climb on the Black Wall's weathered red stone. This single-pitch, left-facing corner rises about 50 feet, presenting a route that invites finger-to-hand jams with occasional lieback moves that test your balance and technique without overwhelming force. The rock here feels soft under your hands, demanding respect and caution rather than aggression. If you approach it with that mindset, it can be rewarding for both toprope play and those looking to try a lead in gentle trad terrain. As you ascend, the crack seems to cradle a small colony of bats partway up, as if the wall itself reminds you the cliff is alive and watching, adding a flicker of wildlife mystery to your climb.

Access to the anchors at the top is simple once you've gained the Tesseract anchors nearby. From there, a short ledge traverse takes you to a pair of cold shut rings holding the top belay. These have stood the test of time but bear inspection prior to use. Protection placements are mainly in the finger to hand range—C3 cams fit the crack with some room left for nuts in constricted spots. Given the softness of the sandstone, it’s wise to place gear carefully and avoid harsh falls. While the rock texture and fragility might not inspire the hardened leader seeking bombproof stone, it’s an excellent route for those appreciative of mellow challenges and the chance to explore a pocket of Grand Junction’s climbing culture.

Plan your trip with light rack essentials, ensuring cams that cover small to medium sizes, and leave room for redundant protection if you decide to push a lead. The approach is straightforward to the Black Wall region in Unaweep Canyon, a part of the desert landscape that blends sweeping views with quiet pockets of shade. Time your climb for early morning or late afternoon to escape the strongest sun, as the exposed west-facing wall heats quickly under midday rays. Attention to hydration and sun protection is critical here. Additionally, hold a keen eye for loose rock; the nature of the area's softer sandstone calls for cautious movement above variable protection.

Overall, Little Red Corner is a route that speaks gently rather than shouts, a quiet corner of Colorado climbing that rewards those with patience and light touch. It’s perfect if you want to experience a slice of classic desert trad climbing without the complexity of multi-pitch or high-consequence routes. Whether you’re a local or passing through Grand Junction, this climb offers a chance to move on stone that feels alive beneath you, surrounded by the stillness of Unaweep Canyon's vast skies.

Climber Safety

The sandstone here wears soft and fragile—avoid dynamic falls on all gear placements. Inspect cold shut anchors carefully and consider supplementing with new gear. Loose rock can appear unexpectedly; move deliberate and test holds before trusting them.

Route Details

TypeTrad, TR
Pitches1
Length50 feet

Local Tips

Approach is short and straightforward; start at the Tesseract anchors for easy rigging of a toprope.

Avoid leading if you’re uncomfortable with soft rock—falls can be risky on fragile sandstone.

Climb early or late in the day to avoid intense sun and overheating on the west-facing wall.

Double-check cold shut anchors before weighting; consider backing up with your own gear.

Route Rating

Difficulty
5.9
Quality
Consensus:Rated 5.9, Little Red Corner sits at the moderate trad level with a comfortable mix of finger and hand jams. The grade feels relatively soft due to the low physical intensity, though the rock’s delicacy demands careful movement and thoughtful gear placement. The route makes for a good warm-up or introduction to desert trad, especially compared to nearby harder lines in Unaweep Canyon.

Gear Requirements

Expect to bring a trad rack focused on small- to medium-sized cams, primarily C3s, with nuts as potential supplemental protection. Anchor top belay from two cold shut rings; inspect prior to use. The rock’s softness means careful gear placement and minimizing falls is vital.

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Tags

finger crack
soft sandstone
bat habitat
single pitch
toprope option
trad gear
spring climbing
west-facing wall