Granite Arch Climbing Center — Attraction in Rancho Cordova

This is based strictly on the bouldering section. Everything was cramped and no one seemed to understand the whole "don't walk under climbers" rule. It was rather small but you can't hold that against them. I'll list my actual negatives with GA below.

There's no AC, which is mind blowing considering it routinely gets over 100° outside. My wife and I started sweating just from being hot rather than getting a good workout.

The holds themselves are pretty bad. I can't tell you how many holds moved on me. If it's supposed to move, label it. If its not, fix it. Overall, they were slimey, old and need to be replaced.

The rental equipment is old and needs to be replaced. The shoes especially, but this is easily avoided by just bringing your own shoes (ours are being shipped to us). My biggest issue was they require your car keys as collateral for the shoes. That would be okay if they weren't just out in the open where anyone can pick them up (like I had to get when no one was at the counter to give my keys back).

Finally, it was overpriced compared to what you get. $36 for two people to strictly Boulder (with rental equipment) is bad when the section is so small compared to the top rope section.

As for the good, the walls themselves were unique but even they couldn't fix everything else that's wrong with the place. How this place is rated so high is...

Wonderful place to rock climb, make friends, and exercise while having fun. I've been climbing here for about a year now and thought I'd share my thoughts on the pros and cons of Granite Arch.

Pros: Affordable, beginner friendly with multiple auto belays, great staff, new routes are being put up all the time, consistent (and honest) route grading, crack climbing, lockers are available and free to use, generally not over crowded.

Cons: The route setting is below average compared to other gyms, short weekend hours, walls aren't that tall, and Tues/Thurs the kids have team practice and can get rambunctious.

Advice: Hire some more experienced route setters would bring Granite Arch up a notch. As is, every other gym I have climbed at (Pipeworks, The Peak at Fremont, Mesa Rim in Reno, Aesthetic Climbing Gym) has had routes with more interesting problems, movements, and flow. Sometimes it feels GA just makes routes hard by removing footholds. And please, please open for longer hours on Sunday. 5 hours is not enough! So many days I've come home from hiking and would love to get some climbing in but can't, because...

My first gym was the Rogue Rock Gym in Medford, Oregon. The difference between the 2 gyms is great in that Medford is a straight forward gym with routes designed for a larger public and also harder routes which increment towards the more insane climbs.

Granite Arch took me by surprise in its difficulty. The bouldering is less accessible to newer climbers than my old gym but I won't let it deter me. However, once I met a belay partner and started hitting the wall routes I realized Granite Arch will prepare you better for outdoor climbing in that holds for hands do not equal foot placement.

Granite Arch has an amazing resemblance to real rock. Your feet will often be finding a small crack or divet in the rock and it made the transition hard yet fascinating.

I highly recommend a visit to climbers of all levels and fully expect to be a better climber for having membership to...