Volcanic Tablelands (Happy/Sad Boulders)  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  4,400' Page Views:  315,613. Good page? (1 like)    Administrators:  Aron Quiter, Euan Cameron, Adam Winters, M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Adam Winters on Jan 22, 2008 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 77° | 39° 73° | 41° 79° | 43° 79° | 45° 77° | 45°

KK on a superb lip traverse on the 'Orgasm Boulder...

Description 

Just north of Bishop the floor of the Owens Valley rises abruptly forming a 300 foot-high volcanic plateau that runs for miles from east to west, stretching north to the Sherwin Plateau. Along the southern tip numerous canyons containing thousands of boulders can be found slicing into and through the plateau, including the two that make up the Happy and Sad bouldering areas. It's truly a climber's playground.

Please avoid all plants and vegetation! They are disappearing rapidly in these areas due to heavy foot traffic!

This area is often referred to as 'The Mesa' to locals...

Looking down from the Sads towards Bishop. Submitted By: Euan Cameron on Feb 18, 2008

Getting There 

From US 395 in Bishop, take US 6 north out of town towards Benton/Chalfant/Tonopah. After 1.3 miles, turn left on Five Bridges Rd. Follow this down the straightaway around the left-hand curve, past the Aggregate Plant to a 4-way intersection where the pavement turns to dirt. Take a left on Chalk Bluff Rd. for the Happy and Sad Boulders. Turn right on Fish Slough Rd. for the Fish Slough Boulders.

Somewhere out on the Tableland... Submitted By: Tavis Ricksecker on Jan 30, 2012

The Classics

Featured Route For Volcanic Tablelands (Happy/Sad Boulders)

Strength in Numbers (Original SIN) V5  CA : Sierra Eastside : ... : Strength in Numbers Area

One of the best moderates around, or anywhere for that matter... Certainly the best of the grade in the canyon - featuring fun moves and sequences with a steep, explosive start and an exciting finish. An area classic. Sit-start on the large obvious twin hueco underclings. Make a big move to the next gaping hueco then style your way up and left to the good right-facing edges to the good jug/sidepull. A couple large moves up and left out to the crimps on the lip will get it done. Great moveme...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

Photos of Volcanic Tablelands (Happy/Sad Boulders) Slideshow

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Andy Patari in the Tablelands	The Owens Valley meets the Volcanic Tablelands	The south end of the Tablelands, looking west towa...
Evening session in the Tablelands.	The Volcanic Tablelands	Looking north at the Tablelands plateau, viewed fr...
The Volcanic Tablelands, just north of Bishop	Looking down from the Sads towards Bishop.	Don't mess with the locals...
The late, great Nate Bowe on 'Tim's Prow' v4, Coun...	Nate Bowe on 'El Hueco de Hunta' v5, one the best ...	The Tablelands from the south, and the White Mount...
Nate Bowe on 'The Wave', Tablelands	Happies	Sad boulders, Bishop
Happy's; Hall of Mirrors	Somewhere out on the tablelands. March 2010	unusual rock on the Tablelands
tableland petroglyphs note: this area is off-limi...	more petroglyphs	Jona Price, happy at the Happies. Photo by Blitzo.
Sierras from The Tablelands. Photo by Blitzo.	Tablelands. Photo by Blitzo.	Boulder hunting in the Tablelands
A weathery day in the central Tablelands	Cloud belt and storm on the Wheeler Crest from the...	Somewhere out on the Tablelands...
Somewhere out on the tablelands...	Somewhere out on the tablelands...	Somewhere out on the Tablelands...
Somewhere out on the Tableland...	Somewhere out on the Tablelands...	Somewhere out on the Tablelands...
White Mountains above Fish Slough	Storm over the White Mountains, from the Fish Slou...	Aerili enjoying the Volcanic Tablelands. Photo by ...
There Will Be Blood	Somewhere lonely	Lonely slopes
Lonely Man	Lonely warmup	More lonely slopers
So Ronery	Lonely silhouette	Lonely highball
Lonely	There Will Be Blood