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Elevation: 4,486 ft
GPS: 45.45812, -118.23642
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 141,324 total · 834/month
Shared By: Sinner on Apr 17, 2010 · Updates
Admins: Brennan Crellin, Micah Klesick, Nate Ball

Description Suggest change

A surprising number of good routes spring out of the timber at this cragging area in NE Oregon. There is a nice variety of sport and trad climbs ranging in difficulty from 5.4 to 5.13 on fairly solid andesite. Most of the climbs are about a half pitch in length, but there are a few multi-pitch routes that top out.

The crag is nestled in the Blue Mountains and has an excellent vista of the nearby mountains including Mount Emily that overlooks the nearby Grande Ronde Valley. Large talus fields line the base of the crag and create an area for lazy belayers and bystanders to soak in the sun. The relatively high elevation and ability to find shady areas makes this an ideal summer crag for those hanging out in Eastern Oregon. Most people wait till the snow melts (usually April) to venture up the gravel roads.

These days the crag gets fairly crowded on the weekends with an influx of climbers from Walla Walla and Portland, but usually climbers can still get a secluded feel by skipping the first talus field.

Getting There Suggest change

From La Grande: head west on I-84 until you reach the "Summit Road, Mt. Emily" exit (#243) continue to the right on the Summit Rd. for about 9 miles until you see a sign on the right that says "Whitman Route Overlook" and take the gravel road on the left. Along this road you will see multiple pull-outs where people camp and after about a mile there will be a small gravel road to the right (directly after a down-hill grade) that winds up hill. Take this road for about 1/4 mile until you reach a parking area where boulders block the road. The trail follows the road for a short distance then heads up to the left for another 10-15 minutes to the crag. The road is usually passable for any vehicle (once the snow melts).

From Pendleton: Head east on I-84 for about 30 miles till you reach exit 243 (the "Summit Rd., Mount Emily" exit). Take the exit to the left over the freeway and follow directions above from La Grande.

134 Total Climbs

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Location: Spring Mountain Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Spring Mountain

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 34
Bat Crack
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 31
Pod of God
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 23
Chunky Monkey
Sport
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 23
Clean Sweep
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 37
Spring Fever
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 17
Maid in the Shade
Sport
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 42
Flaked out
Sport
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
 32
Epiphany roof
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 40
Skinny Hippie
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 40
Rally Race
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 17
Lorraine
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 37
Mojo Rising
Sport
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 29
Black out
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 15
Dog Show
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 15
Chubby Hubby
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Bat Crack
 34
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad
Pod of God
 31
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
Chunky Monkey
 23
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Clean Sweep
 23
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Spring Fever
 37
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Maid in the Shade
 17
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Flaked out
 42
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Sport
Epiphany roof
 32
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b Sport
Skinny Hippie
 40
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Rally Race
 40
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Lorraine
 17
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Mojo Rising
 37
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Black out
 29
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Dog Show
 15
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Chubby Hubby
 15
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
More Classic Climbs in Spring Mountain »

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