Mountain Project Logo
To save paper & ink, use the [Hide] controls next to photos and comments so you only print what you need.

Chopping Block

S Dakota > Needles Of Rush… > Mt Rushmore Nat… > Chopping Block
Warning Access Issue: Check NPS for Closures DetailsDrop down

Description

This is the namesake rock for this area. This rock is steep on all sides, and provides many hard routes from 5.9 to 5.13. The most popular routes on this rock are Baba Cool (5.9+) and Meat is Murder (5.11).

Getting There

Follow the trail up the hill from the parking lot. Wrinkled Rock is on the right, and Chopping Block is on the left. First encounter a steep bolted line called Tender Vittles, but continue uphill for the rest of the routes. Go around the corner to the left when possible and look for two faces with a large dihedral in between. This is where the bulk of the climbing is.

Routes from Left to Right

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

The whole formation with Old Baldy Mountain in the background. The popular Baba Cool lies on the right of the two largest formations.
[Hide Photo] The whole formation with Old Baldy Mountain in the background. The popular Baba Cool lies on the right of the two largest formations.