Mendenhall Ridge

Seasonal raptor closure at Monument Area MORE INFO >>> Rock climbing is not allowed 1/4 mile either side of the Monument due to a nesting pair of Golden Eagles. The birds are using Staender Ridge as a perch therefore it is also within the closure area. The trail which is on the backside of the Monument is open to through traffic, but hiking is not allowed around the cliff faces. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment 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. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

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

Description 

The obscure area is the most remote crag at Smith. It's at least a 90-minute walk from the main are, 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.

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