BETA PHOTO: A view of the fire lookout visible from the Cracke...
Description
Tired of the crowds? The Lookout Tower area offers a nice reprieve from the throngs that invade Boulder Basin or the Visor Area. Relatively easy to find, the problems here are of respectable height, but are not completely off the deck.
Problems here tend to be vertical to slightly overhanging, depending on the particular boulder. One notable problem is Cracker Boy (V7).
Getting There
Follow the signs to Boulder Basin Campground. At the entrance to the campgrounds by the campground bulletin board, there will be a left turn up a dirt hill (right turn takes you to the campsites). Park your car in the vicinity - you have two options at this point: 1) pay for the $10 dollars for a campsite 2) display an adventure pass and park such that you are not blocking any roads / cars. Parking IS limited.
At this point, grab your stuff and walk up the dirt trail towards the fire lookout tower. A 15 minute walk lands you at the lookout tower. The majority of problems are found to the right (westerly) and a stone's throw from the lookout tower.
There are approximately 70 routes (sport, trad etc.) in the area surrounding the Lookout Tower. Most all of these were done by Paul Borne and others in the early 90's and have never been in any guidebook. Of particular note are two strikingly, beautiful aretes (5.11+, 5.13a) near the tower.
Lookout Tower Area
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