Silverado Mine 

Not only is the Silverado Mine the closest climbing area, it is also the coolest during hot weather, with copious shade at the base. At first glance the climbs look unaesthetic and even frightening with broken up rocks, but the holds are mostly solid and clean, featuring comfortable hand and finger cracks and edges in contrast with the sometimes painful solution pockets elsewhere on the mountain. Because most climbs can be safely protected on lead with solid gear placements (there is only one bolt, protecting the crux on the hardest climb), the Silverado Mine is an excellent place for beginning and moderate trad climbing.

To set up a top-rope from the entrance to the mine, scramble up the right rim of the mine, hop across boulders at the upper end of the mine to the left rim of the mine (anchor 6), and then scramble class 4 along the narrow ridge (anchors 4 and 5) to a wider class 3 ridge (anchors 1-3). Here is a description of the top-rope anchors for each climb, from left to right:

Anchor 1: one bolt which can be backed up by a large cam

• Beginner's Route 5.4

• Fir Tree Crack 5.6

• Fir Tree Overhang 5.7

• Overhang 5.9

• Bolt Route 5.10b/c

• Left Corner 5.8

• Shattered Slab 5.10a

• Right Corner 5.7

• Fractured Seam 5.8

• Jamcrack 5.7

• Dihedral 5.5

• Mine Shaft 5.6

If you plan to climb in Silverado Mine during the weekend, be aware that REI often teaches a basic rock climbing course. If you see their well marked van in the parking lot, you can assume that several routes will be occupied by the class. However, the instructors are very tolerant of other climbers and willing to share routes.