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GPS: 43.70159, -96.1824
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
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Shared By: Glenn Burns on Apr 6, 2006 · Updates
Admins: K Ice, Kris Gorny

Description Suggest change

Mini Fortress is a fairly secluded section of rock in the northern reaches of the park. Climbs range from short 25 footers up to 40 feet (similar to the height of the better known Saturday Buttress.) Its seclusion can largely be chalked up to the distance from the parking lot (roughly a mile) and it's lack of accessibility. Whereas most climbs south of Mini Fortress have some form of established path winding near them, the Mini Fortress requires a bit of bushwhacking to get to. In addition, some deforestation of the area has caused some of the area to have high sun exposure until the late afternoon.None of this means that the climbs are lacking quality, though! Some of the better climbing in the park resides in this area, and there are rarely any other climbers (or even people) nearby. Out of the entire park, this is also likely the area that has been least explored by fellow climbers- there is untapped potential on many rocks and boulders for those seeking out new challenges not contained in a guidebook.

Getting There Suggest change

Cliff Line PathStart by making your way to the Saturday Buttress (Jaspers Dihedral is hard to miss!) When you get up to the cliff line, head north (to your right, when facing the cliff) past the formidable roofs of Sunday Buttress. Soon after the Sunday Buttress you'll enter a medium-sized outcrop of trees. Once you pass through to the other side, you've arrived at First Fortress, the first wall of Mini Fortress.Bushwhack DirectSimilar to above, start by making your way towards the Saturday Buttress, but continue on the paved pedestrian path instead of taking the obvious path to the cliff line. Looking from the path, find the Sunday Buttress' roofs and the forest soon after. Once the forest ends, turn west and bushwhack through the grasses towards the cliff line.

31 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Mini Fortress Area

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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