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Rattlesnake Mound

Wisconsin > Central > Central Sandstone
Warning Access Issue: Rattlesnake Mound is part of the Quincy Bluff State Natural Area. Bouldering is allowed, but roped climbing is not. DetailsDrop down

Description

Large bluff line with big sandstone boulders scattered about. Established problems are all over, but there is still lots to explore, and hard stuff to be done. Access is good, you can see some boulders from the road.

This is part of the Quincy Bluff State Natural Area.

Getting There

East of 14th Ct in Adams Cty.

Rattlesnake Mound is not far off of HWY 13 north of Wis Dells. If driving north, turn left onto Edgewood Dr. and continue west for a couple miles. Turn right (north) on 14th Ct, and the bluffs are to your right. Park in the parking area where you see the rock at the saddle, and hike to boulders. Boulders are scattered near both sides of each bluff. Distances are close so makes the hiking easy.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

The southern end of Rattlesnake Mound, seen from Quincy Bluff
[Hide Photo] The southern end of Rattlesnake Mound, seen from Quincy Bluff
Sawyer, after too many FAs.
[Hide Photo] Sawyer, after too many FAs.
The House boulders.
[Hide Photo] The House boulders.
From the approach trail
[Hide Photo] From the approach trail
Rattlesnake Mound(s) from the west. The climbing is at the south end of the south mound, on the right. The north end of the south mound, and the whole north mound are private property, with numerous "No Tresspassing" signs.
[Hide Photo] Rattlesnake Mound(s) from the west. The climbing is at the south end of the south mound, on the right. The north end of the south mound, and the whole north mound are private property, with numer…
Rattlesnake Mound
[Hide Photo] Rattlesnake Mound
Candy, age 60, finishes a stellar performance on Black Hornet.
[Hide Photo] Candy, age 60, finishes a stellar performance on Black Hornet.
Striking chossy rock in the early fall sunlight
[Hide Photo] Striking chossy rock in the early fall sunlight
Not all beginners are young'ns
[Hide Photo] Not all beginners are young'ns
Rattlesnake.
[Hide Photo] Rattlesnake.
Rattlesnake Mound from the road. House boulder on the left. Most other problems are on the backside of the bluff on the right.
[Hide Photo] Rattlesnake Mound from the road. House boulder on the left. Most other problems are on the backside of the bluff on the right.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Brian Runnells
[Hide Comment] Really cool and interesting area. Some of the rock like the house boulder is pretty high quality for Wisconsin and has a quartzite/sandstone feel to it. These boulders have really cool grassy landings.

Much of the rocks on the bluffs is more reminiscent of Governor Dodge in that the quality of the rocks is lower and more sandstone-y. Nov 6, 2008
John W. Knoernschild
Wisconsin
[Hide Comment] The boulders here are quite amazing and exactly the opposite of the Dodge in quality. I agree that the cliff line is about Dodge quality though. Great area! Great concentration of quality boulder problems. Jun 6, 2011
Ian Cotter-Brown

[Hide Comment] I talked to a gentleman that patrols the Adams county State Natural Areas. He was very nice and informative. Rope climbing is a definite no, and he said they have been enforcing that (it didn’t sound like they were writing tickets, just informing folks of the policy). However, scrambling around on the rocks without technical gear is fine. What some may call bouldering falls into that category, and not the “Rock Climbing” one. It sounds like that is the case for all State Natural Areas though he did say various wardens may interpret the rules differently.
Let’s make sure to keep these areas nice and clean when we use them, and be polite to other users and DNR people. We need to be mindful that our actions are noticed. Apr 30, 2020