PRINT: Rock Climbing in Flagstone, Willamette Valley

Flagstone

Oregon > Willamette Valley

Access Issue: Fire Closures, until at least Oct 26, 2023 Details

As per NF and local official orders, this is in the closure area for the Bedrock fire.

Description

Flagstone is a beautiful rock found just off a forest service backroad in the Willamette National Forest. Originally discovered in the mid 1980's, this crag remained a "locals only" crag for many years, but has since transitioned into being a popular destination within the Willamette Valley region.

The rock has three aspects facing North, West, and South. A trail skirts the entire rock and can be used as a walk-off descent from the top. The rock is andesite and of high quality. The best climbs combine friction, edges, and balance together on dark grey rock. At times the place can be secluded and other times you'll feel cramped. Since it is a small place be courteous.

Getting There

From I-5 and Eugene take highway 126 east for about 31.8 miles from beginning of highway (126 and bob straub in Thurston). Really watch the odometer and look for a sign on the right for Quartz Creek Road. Turn onto a narrow road and go over a narrow bridge. This road becomes a forest road #2618. Enjoy viewing clearcuts for the next 14.5 miles and taking a right fork at milepost 11, a left fork at milepost 13. At the junction of 2618 and 350 stay right for another 1/8th of a mile and park in a pullout on the right side of the road. The crag is up and to the left.

Although somewhat obscured from the road there is a climbers trail that leads past a message board and up to the crag (5min)

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Aaron on Joy Luck Club

Robbie leading hydrotube

The Great White Wall

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Aaron Hobson
Clinton, TN

While I was working in the Willamette national forest (summer 2003 and 2004), I climbed here a number of times, but I never learned much about the routes. I taught several friends of mine the joys of multi-pitch climbing on one of the "easy" and exhaustively bolted climbs on the northern slabs. Despite the small size of the crag, it has a great selection climbs. Mar 20, 2006

Kevin W. Corcoran

Flagstone is a very nice crag in a beautiful, secluded setting. The season there is fairly short, as the crag gets significant snowfall in the colder months. It is usually late Spring or Summer by the time the road melts out. For route beta, check out Rock Climbing Western Oregon: Willamette Valley. Oct 16, 2008

Ian G.
PDX, OR

I went to college in Eugene and climbed several times at Flagstone. The climbing is not world class, but the setting is. I have fond memories of topping out a route as the sun was setting behind the forested hills. I've travelled all over the world and nowhere is as beautiful as Oregon in the summer. If you are travelling through the area, give this place a chance. It's also...ahem..."well-bolted." May 18, 2009

Micah Elconin
Eugene, OR

So many classics at this crag! And thank you to those that have done upkeep on some of the older lines.

However, many of the routes are in need of re bolting. Quite a few old rusted bolts. Not an unusual thing to see on bolts approaching their third decade in stone. I would love to support the continued development of the crag as I'm sure others would. How can I help? Jun 4, 2018

Dan Stringer
Eugene, OR

The latest information from the forest service shows forest road 2618 from highway 126 is back open!

The road itself is in great condition most of the way to the crag, though there's been ongoing roadwork installing new culverts. Today there was a half mile section of road leading to the 2618/1985 junction (about mile 11) that had freshly dumped and upgraded gravel, though the road was still passable in a car with low ground clearance. The holiday farm fire burn area ends at about mile 7, and there are signs for active logging around mile 10.

I noticed some lower angle routes on the north side had some hangers swiped from them, so a budding lead climber who plans to climb those may want to bring a couple nuts to use as a way to clip into the protruding bolts. Jul 4, 2021

JD Merritt
Eugene, OR

We're getting the ball rolling on a rebolting effort here with the help of the ASCA.

Everyone can help us by suggesting routes that are good candidates (old bolts), and giving an accurate bolt count, if you can. Comment here, on individual route pages, or direct message Micah or me. Thanks! Jul 28, 2021

Ryan B

To anyone heading out to Flagstone for the first time, be sure to stick to the driving directions posted here. I blindly trusted Google and it took me down NF-18 which brought me right up to a “road closed” sign. And I wasn’t the only one that day. However, it was definitely the prettiest wrong direction I’ve ever taken! Jul 16, 2023