Mendenhall Ridge  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  903. Good page? (1 like)    Administrators:  Peter Franzen, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Monomaniac on Nov 29, 2006 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed 64° | 45° 61° | 39° 61° | 41° 64° | 39° 61° | 37°

Private Property MORE INFO >>> You will need to cross a few barbed-wire fences and perhaps some private property to get to these routes. However, the odds of seeing property owners in this remote corner of Oregon are pretty slim. Keep a low profile, travel fast, and you should be ok. This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment Seasonal Raptor Closure 2012 MORE INFO >>> For 2012 closure info, see smithrock.com/b2evolution/media/blogs/routes/eagle-closure-2>>> This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

The Poplar (R) and The Sapling (L), on Mendenhall ...

Description 

This obscure area is the most remote crag at Smith. It's at least a 90-minute walk from the main area, and I guarantee you will not see any other climbers. This area only features two known routes, but one of them, the Poplar, is a must-do.

Getting There 

The quickest, most legal approach seems to be to head over Asterix pass from the main area, follow the river trail past the Monkey, then up on to the plateau above the rimrock after passing the Kiss of the Lepers cliffs. From here, head NE to the exit of the Canal tunnel, then follow the canal to the next tunnel (under Gunsight rock). Presumably if you're walking all this way you intend to climb a few of the routes on Indian Ridge, so start scrambling up Indian at this point, to Gunsight rock first, then on to Squaw Rock. Continue up the ridge to its intersection with Mendenhall Ridge, then follow the Ridge down to the Poplar.

It's possible to approach along the river bank (from the Monkey) directly to the base of Mendenhall Ridge, but if you do you will definitely be on private property, and will encounter a few "No Trespassing" signs. The above-described approach is almost entirely on BLM or state land, does not force you to ignore any signs, and will give you the benefit of 'plausible deniability' if necessary.

The Classics

Featured Route For Mendenhall Ridge

The Poplar, South Chimney 5.7 R  OR : Smith Rock : Mendenhall Ridge

The Poplar is one of the most amazing bulbous rock towers you will ever see. If you've never heard of or seen it, go to the Crooked River Bridge (aka Rex T Barber Bridge) on Highway 97 and look NE. The Poplar is the unbelievable looking spire on the nearest Ridge. The inexplicably tiny base of stone that supports the massive, leaning pillar at once defies logic and gravity. This thing simply HAS to be climbed!The rock is not what you would call "good", but since you will be chimneying, you s...[more]   Browse More Classics in OR