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Student Wall

Oregon > Central Oregon > Smith Rock > (yy) Basalt Rimrock
Warning Access Issue: 2023 Seasonal Raptor Nesting Closures DetailsDrop down

Description

There is excellent rock and climbing to be found here...although not many people other than groups of beginners bother.
The Crag faces West and gets morning shade.

Getting There

The easiest way is to approach as for the Lower Gorge and cross the river on boulders and hike directly up to the crag. When the river is high walk down the main trail to the bridge and go right. Hike for about 15-20 minutes and the crag will be just out of site on your right before you leave the river and start going uphill towards the Marsupial Crags.

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Homeboy Levi at the top of crack section
[Hide Photo] Homeboy Levi at the top of crack section

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Chris D
the couch
[Hide Comment] Our first stop on our first visit to Smith Rock. Judging from the sand and grit in the cracks and the lack of chalk on even the higher rated climbs, this area has fallen into neglect. The couple of routes that we did showed no sign of having been climbed in a long time, though some of the footholds had the glassy polish that only comes from years of regular ascents. Worth a stop just to check out the very high quality of the basalt and climb some cracks. Sep 12, 2013
[Hide Comment] A note on the approach: if you're using the Lower Gorge access, you want to cross the river on the downstream boulders (essentially right under the crag), NOT the upstream crossing that gets you to Shakespeare Wall, etc. That way connects but is deeply overgrown with stinging nettle. Learn from my pain. Aug 26, 2024