The Callahans are a series of partially-exposed cliff bands outside Roseburg, near the small town of Melrose. The land is owned by Weyerhauser Paper, and there are often logging crews operating on the land. Be careful while on the gravel road, as these are used frequently by logging trucks.
The rock is soft sandstone, and some sections are very crumbly and chossy. However, there is a wide selection of climbs on bullet-hard rock. The climbs often vary considerably within a single route, and it is not uncommon to go from steep jug-bashing to tenuous slab climbing on the same route. Most of the routes are of moderate difficulty (5.10-5.11). The Callahans are composed of several smaller crags made up of broken cliff-bands and large boulders. Many of the routes have easy top-rope access. Fixed anchors are the norm, but there are a few traditional routes. Many of the formations are too tall to lower off of with a single rope, and intermediate sets of anchors are common.
PLEASE NOTE: The Callahans are private property and should be treated as such. Climbers have had a good relationship with Weyerhauser in the past, and we should strive to maintain that. Be sure to not block the gate with your car, and BE ADVISED: THE CALLAHANS ARE CLOSED OCCASIONALLY at Weyerhauser's discretion, particularly when fire danger is high. Pay attention to all posted signs. There is usually a phone number posted that you can call for information on access issues on all Weyerhauser property.
For complete area beta, check out Rock Climbing Western Oregon: Umpqua by Greg Orton.
Getting There
Take exit 125 off of I-5 and head west (right). Make an eventual left turn at the sign for "Melrose Traffic" and follow this road until it T's. Take a right at the T, and another right onto Touchstone road. Follow this until it turns into gravel, and go uphill until you reach the gate. Make sure to park downhill a bit on the pull-off and DON'T BLOCK THE GATE. Weyerhauser doesn't like that.
There is also an alternative approach which leads you to the top of the Callahans instead of the bottom. See Orton's book.
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for The Callahans:
Access for driving to the top of the Callahan ridge where you will find 6 trailheads (refer to pg 67 of Western Oregon Rock Climbing vol 2 Umpqua) is generally open Saturdays and Sundays October through March 15. Trailheads are currently flagged with pink flagging.
All other times park at the lower Touchstone gate and walk in (20 to 30 min).
The largest concentration of climbing occurs for about a mile stretch just of the top of the ridge. In 2007, there were 38 individual developments at the callahans and over 200 routes. There are still many rocks here without first accents. This is the best sandstone climbing on the west coast north of the Camino Cielo.
Where to stay the night: River Forks Campground has a group site and showers $$, many FS & BLM campgrounds up the N Umpqua River E of Glide about 45 min. $, hotels in Roseburg $$$, Camp in a pullout on BLM land just as you top the ridge on Callahan Road on your way to the upper gate; don't leave your camp unattended, free.
Winter climbing: It only takes a little bit of sun to wake up winter climbing at the Callahans. Rule of thumb: the heavier the valley fog the better the climbing. Walls that tend to dry first are Fantasy Island's south wall, Double Chocolate's Lizard Ledge, Mind Planet's south wall.
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