Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 5,285 ft
GPS: 43.8821, -103.4621
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 59,650 total · 225/month
Shared By: Anonymous Coward on Jun 26, 2002
Admins: Peter Gram, Greg Parker, Mikel Madsen, Mark Rafferty
Warning Access Issue: Check NPS for Closures DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

A pretty big hunk of rock with some incredible routes. Like most of the Rushmore area, it is a bit confusing at first. After you've located a couple routes things get much easier. Some fun, popular moderates include Solo System, Star Dancer, and Weird Water.

Getting There Suggest change

The Marker area is one of the closest to the monument and just off 244. Coming from in from the monument, look for the 2nd? pullout on the left. If you get the correct one, the trail and sign-in board are just down the trail right across the street. You might have to follow the trail a short distance to see the kiosk, but if it's there you're in the right place!

Before you start going, look up and to the right - the beautiful summits are the Middle & Inner Markers. Follow the trail straight in and up the gully, the Middle Marker is on the right, the Inner Marker is behind it.

46 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Marker Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Marker

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 92
Solo System
Sport, TR
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 109
Weird Water
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 158
Star Dancer
Sport, TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 16
Schist for Brains
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 17
Thunder Road
Sport 2 pitches
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a PG13
 9
Roadside Plum
Trad
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 26
Make Believe
Sport
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 21
Moonstone
Sport
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
 50
Don't Stahl
Sport
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 13
Rum and Coke
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 42
Deja' Vu Prophecy
Sport 2 pitches
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 24
Lightning Never Strikes Twice
Trad
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 11
Regenerator
Sport
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c PG13
 4
Raisins in the Sun
Trad, Sport
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 4
Life on a Wedge
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Solo System Middle Marker Area
 92
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Sport, TR
Weird Water Middle Marker Area
 109
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Star Dancer Middle Marker Area
 158
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport, TR
Schist for Brains Schist Head
 16
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Thunder Road Middle Marker Area
 17
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport 2 pitches
Roadside Plum Middle Marker Area
 9
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a PG13 Trad
Make Believe Middle Marker Area
 26
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Sport
Moonstone Middle Marker Area
 21
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Don't Stahl Middle Marker Area
 50
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b Sport
Rum and Coke Middle Marker Area
 13
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Deja' Vu Prophecy Middle Marker Area
 42
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport 2 pitches
Lightning Never Strikes Twice Inner Marker
 24
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad
Regenerator Inner Marker
 11
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Raisins in the Sun Middle Marker Area
 4
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c PG13 Trad, Sport
Life on a Wedge Inner Marker
 4
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Trad
More Classic Climbs in Marker »

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading