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Broughton Bluff

Oregon > Portland & The Gorge

Description

Comprised of around a dozen cliffs on the outskirts of Portland, Broughton Bluff provides easy access for the local urban climber. Many quality routes ranging from 5.4 topropes to 5.14 leads on Broughton's jumbled basalt cliffs are available for climbers of all abilities.

Climbing is possible all year at Broughton but can be difficult in the winter due to damp and soggy conditions, unless you can climb 5.12. Late Spring, Summer, and Fall are best.

Getting There

By car:
Broughton Bluff is located at the mouth of the Columbia Gorge near the town of Troutdale. Take I-84 East from Portland to the Lewis & Clark State Park exit, turn left at the stop sign and drive under the railroad bridge, then park in the parking lot on the left. Take the trail leading towards the hillside and follow it up for a few hundred meters to the cliffs.

By transit:
Both options are about equally as long when coming from downtown, with the first requiring no transfers but more walking and the second one transfer but less walking.
Option 1: Take the 77 to 257th & Columbia River Hwy then walk down Columbia River Hwy for about 25 minutes (about 2km). Once you cross the bridge, turn left and the trail will be shortly on your right.
Option 2: Via either the 20, transferring at Kane & 29th, or the Blue Line, transferring at Gresham Central, take the 80 to the end of the line at Glenn Otto Park, cross the bridge, turn left, and the trail will be shortly on your right. About 10 minutes of walking in total.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Eric on the boulder problem.<br>
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/tobybutterfield<br>
http://instagram.com/baodehui
[Hide Photo] Eric on the boulder problem. http://www.flickr.com/photos/tobybutterfield http://instagram.com/baodehui
Briana climbing "Under the Yum Yum Tree" on a rainy November afternoon
[Hide Photo] Briana climbing "Under the Yum Yum Tree" on a rainy November afternoon
Mark D climbing Bloodline on gear circa 2003. Photo: Kevin Rauch.
[Hide Photo] Mark D climbing Bloodline on gear circa 2003. Photo: Kevin Rauch.
Kashmir  <br>
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Red Wall, Broughton Bluff
[Hide Photo] Kashmir Red Wall, Broughton Bluff
Crux of Bad omen
[Hide Photo] Crux of Bad omen
Jungle Cliff with its iconic columns
[Hide Photo] Jungle Cliff with its iconic columns
Kevin Rauch leading Superstition on gear ( and first bolt ) circa 2003.
[Hide Photo] Kevin Rauch leading Superstition on gear ( and first bolt ) circa 2003.
View from under Sheer Stress of the belay zone in humid summer conditions. I was surprisd by the excellence of this crag, especially the 5.10 and 5.11 on the Red Wall.  Close to the airport, Columbia River Gorge, and a bunch of skiable volcanoes too.  Morning shade is best when the heat is on.
[Hide Photo] View from under Sheer Stress of the belay zone in humid summer conditions. I was surprisd by the excellence of this crag, especially the 5.10 and 5.11 on the Red Wall. Close to the airport, Columb…
Red Wall, left side
[Hide Photo] Red Wall, left side
Beautiful day at Broughton Bluff
[Hide Photo] Beautiful day at Broughton Bluff
Broughton Bluff(please comment on what wall this is, I'll edit)
[Hide Photo] Broughton Bluff(please comment on what wall this is, I'll edit)

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

[Hide Comment] Many areas in Oregon have poison oak, but Broughton is thick with the stuff. Watch out for it! Feb 14, 2006
Karsten Duncan
Sacramento, CA
[Hide Comment] Also, don't leave your stuff in the car. There have been numberous break-ins here with alot of gear getting stolen in the past. I myself have seen broken windows in the parking lot. It's sad but true. Just take everything with you or lock it up out of sight. Apr 14, 2006
[Hide Comment] WOW!! This is one of the best climbing areas in Portland. It offers a little bit of everything on good solid rock. The routes are interesting and fun...and although some may take a bit to figure out it'll only make you stronger. Sep 9, 2008
[Hide Comment] When my wife and I were dating back in the mid 1950's, we used to climb to the top of the bluff via a path through some large boulders. At some time since then that area slewed off and is now called the Red cliff, or something like that. Back then, the park was just sand and gravel, and blackberry brush. People came there to shoot guns up against the cliff. Apr 5, 2014
[Hide Comment] If you're new to basalt, or otherwise unfamiliar with the crag, warm up on some easier routes. This place is infamously sandbagged, especially at the lower grades. Oct 8, 2015
Dan Bookless
Bend, OR
[Hide Comment] Some people call it "The Third Best Crag in Oregon", some people call it "Planet Granite East", some people call it "The Bluff", some people pluralize it "Broughton(s)"; regardless you'll come away humbled and asking for more! May 2, 2019
J P
Portland, OR
[Hide Comment] Lol good q. I say it like “brought’n” as in “bring it? It’s already been brought’n” Sep 16, 2021
[Hide Comment] What J P said.

Chad Sep 16, 2021
Jackie Wang
New York, NY