Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 1,388 ft 423 m
GPS: 43.405, -89.72901
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 163,335 total · 849/month
Shared By: Doug Hemken on Sep 25, 2009
Admins: Ian Cotter-Brown, Doug Hemken, James Schroeder, chris tregge, Ben Strobel, Kyle Harding

Description Suggest change

The South Bluff is the large, mesa-like ridge that sits south of the lake and north of Sauk Prairie Recreation Area.  With no official trails, the bouldering on the South Bluff can feel remote (for the Midwest).  There are fairly easy to follow user trails to The Reserve and the Burma Boulders, but everything else requires some bushwhacking, boulder-hopping, or both.  Wherever you go, you are likely to have the place to yourself.

Most of the bouldering is up near the mesa rim, where quartzite ledges and boulders form a crown around the hilltop.  Many of the areas along the north rim, above South Shore Road, have wonderful views of the lake.

Getting There Suggest change

See each area.

Areas are sorted clockwise, beginning in the northwest corner.

165 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: South Bluff Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at South Bluff

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V1 5
 105
Tall Boy
Boulder
V3 6A
 110
Flying Mancuso
Boulder
V5 6C
 24
Power of the Scoop
Boulder
V5 6C
 4
Amazing pillar original route
Boulder
V5 6C PG13
 4
The Titan (aka Birthday Prow)
Boulder
V6 7A
 62
Amazing Pillar
Boulder
V6 7A
 103
Starfish
Boulder
V6 7A PG13
 5
Vision Quest
Boulder
V7 7A+
 31
There is no White Knight
Boulder
V8 7B
 16
The Magician
Boulder
V8 7B
 28
Green Haze
Boulder
V8 7B
 11
Shark Tooth
Boulder
V8 7B
 10
White Rabbit
Boulder
V9 7C
 14
Man of War
Boulder
V10 7C+
 16
Full Sail
Boulder
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Tall Boy 03. The Reserve > Reserve
 105
V1 5 Boulder
Flying Mancuso 03. The Reserve > Reserve
 110
V3 6A Boulder
Power of the Scoop 03. The Reserve > Reserve
 24
V5 6C Boulder
Amazing pillar original route 03. The Reserve > Amazing Pillar
 4
V5 6C Boulder
The Titan (aka Birthday Prow) 13. Boomtown
 4
V5 6C PG13 Boulder
Amazing Pillar 03. The Reserve > Amazing Pillar
 62
V6 7A Boulder
Starfish 03. The Reserve > Reserve
 103
V6 7A Boulder
Vision Quest 10. Vision Quest/Chode
 5
V6 7A PG13 Boulder
There is no White Knight 02. Ghost Talus > White Knight
 31
V7 7A+ Boulder
The Magician 03. The Reserve > Amazing Pillar
 16
V8 7B Boulder
Green Haze 02. Ghost Talus > Green Fire
 28
V8 7B Boulder
Shark Tooth 05. Shark Tooth
 11
V8 7B Boulder
White Rabbit 03. The Reserve > Amazing Pillar
 10
V8 7B Boulder
Man of War 03. The Reserve > Reserve
 14
V9 7C Boulder
Full Sail 02. Ghost Talus > Green Fire
 16
V10 7C+ Boulder
More Classic Climbs in South Bluff »

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading