Small rock climbing area adjacent to Lake Cushman, WA. There are a handful of routes located on mossy, metamorphic rock. Lake Cushman is a large, man-made reservoir located on the road to Staircase, the Southeastern-most entrance to the Olympic National Park.
Getting There
From I-5, take the Port Angeles Exit onto Highway 101. Head North on 101 for nearly 35 miles. Take a left on WA-119 and drive up the road past the Lake Cushman State Park, past the Big Creek Campground. 4 miles past the stop sign is a pull-out on the right (lake) side of the road. Look for the obvious rocks.
I have seen a few on the road to Staircase near the Mt. Rose Trailhead, but most are boy scout routes. Though there is a few bolted routes on a wall on the lakefront about 4 miles down the dirt road to Staircase. Can be accessed by boat or car. Wintertime would be best when the lake is drained. I have not climbed these myself, but plan on it in the near future. In the summer its fun to do a little deepwater soloing on the Party Rock on the way to staircase. Just look for lots of junker cars and cheap beer along the road.
There are several routes here, but none are that good. If you live near here, it's worth a visit, but don't go too far out of your way. Also, beware the poison oak. It grows all over the hillsides in the lowland Olympics.
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