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Tieton River Rock Climbing
| Elevation: | 2,461 ft |
| GPS: | 46.684, -120.958 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
| Page Views: | 177,941 total · 1,273/month |
| Shared By: | andyf on Feb 18, 2007 |
| Admins: | Scott Coldiron, Jon Nelson, Micah Klesick |
Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closure
Details
2015 closure: The seasonal raptor closure at the Bend is lifted since the golden eagles have been found nesting east of the Bend. Respect the closure east of the Bend and check back for updates.
More info at: washingtonclimbers.org/Clim…
More info at: washingtonclimbers.org/Clim…
Description
The Tieton (Tie-eh-ton) River crags are spread out along a twenty-mile stretch of the Tieton River drainage, on the east slope of the south Cascades. Most of the crags are andesite (similar to basalt), part of a fifty-mile long flow from the ancient Goat Rocks volcano. By some accounts it's the world's longest andesite flow.
There are more than 400 routes, pretty much evenly split between trad and sport. Generally, the crags in the lower canyon (Royal Columns, the Bend, Moon Rocks) have more crack routes while the crags higher in the drainage (the Oasis, the Cave, Rainbow Rocks, Wildcat, Lava Point and South Fork) have more sport routes. Whether it's a reflection of the rock or the primary route developers, the Tieton shines at the 5.10 grade for trad routes and 5.11 grade for sport climbs.
The lower canyon is semi-arid with sagebrush, cactus and oak groves. The higher crags are in mixed forests of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. Throughout the area, nearly every crag offers either morning or afternoon shade, and sometimes both. With a little planning, summer climbing in the Tieton can be more pleasant than in Leavenworth.
Watch for rattlesnakes in the lower canyon.
There are more than 400 routes, pretty much evenly split between trad and sport. Generally, the crags in the lower canyon (Royal Columns, the Bend, Moon Rocks) have more crack routes while the crags higher in the drainage (the Oasis, the Cave, Rainbow Rocks, Wildcat, Lava Point and South Fork) have more sport routes. Whether it's a reflection of the rock or the primary route developers, the Tieton shines at the 5.10 grade for trad routes and 5.11 grade for sport climbs.
The lower canyon is semi-arid with sagebrush, cactus and oak groves. The higher crags are in mixed forests of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. Throughout the area, nearly every crag offers either morning or afternoon shade, and sometimes both. With a little planning, summer climbing in the Tieton can be more pleasant than in Leavenworth.
Watch for rattlesnakes in the lower canyon.
Getting There
If you're coming from Seattle or north, cross the Cascades on I-90, then take I-82 to Yakima. From Yakima, head west on Highway 12 approximately 20 miles, turning left where Highway 12 branches off of Highway 410. The first major crag (the Royal Columns) is about two miles ahead on the left, across from the Oak Creek Wildlife Area headquarters. Drive time approximately 3 hours.
From the South Sound (Tacoma and Olympia), or from Seattle to reach the upper Tieton crags, it's quicker in the summer to follow Highway 410 to Cayuse Pass, then take Highway 123 through Mt. Rainier National Park to Highway 12. Cross White Pass to the Tieton. Drive time approximately 2 and a half hours from Tacoma, even shorter to some crags.
From eastern Washington, get to Yakima, then follow the directions above.
From the South Sound (Tacoma and Olympia), or from Seattle to reach the upper Tieton crags, it's quicker in the summer to follow Highway 410 to Cayuse Pass, then take Highway 123 through Mt. Rainier National Park to Highway 12. Cross White Pass to the Tieton. Drive time approximately 2 and a half hours from Tacoma, even shorter to some crags.
From eastern Washington, get to Yakima, then follow the directions above.
Classic Climbing Routes at Tieton River
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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Photos
6 Comments
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Guidebooks (1)
Las Vegas
Pullman,WA
My friend and I were headed to The Caldera for bouldering and found a cement blockade in the middle of the road at between .8 and 1.2 miles up the road (guess from google maps). Upon returning to Naches and visiting with the ranger at the NFS station, we were shown the pictures of the washout. It pretty much took the whole road at one of the creek pipe bypasses (aka not vehicle passable at all).
The ranger told us there is no money in the budget to fix the road this year or next year. So we are looking at maybe June/July 2016 for reopening of the road.
Just an FYI. Expect to require hiking your gear into the crag.
-Swithich
PS I'm going to post this on the crag pages as well as a heads up for people. Jul 9, 2014
Careless whisper 5.9+ gear tips-#1
Probably the only solid Rock in that area.
Approximately 5 miles east of white pass ski area. The obvious finger crack on the north side of the highway. Bolted anchor at the top. Jun 14, 2018
Redmond, WA
If your new route is not in an established area, and you'd like people to go get on it, then you should probably add the area to the appropriate region. Then add your route to that area. Jun 14, 2018
Seattle, Wa.