Elevation: 4,486 ft
GPS: 45.45812, -118.23642
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 139,683 total · 886/month
Shared By: Sinner on Apr 17, 2010 · Updates
Admins: Brennan Crellin, Nate Ball, Micah Klesick
Access Issue: Umatilla National Forest Closed to Public Access Details

Description

A surprising number of good routes spring out of the timber at this cragging area in NE Oregon. There is a nice variety of sport and trad climbs ranging in difficulty from 5.4 to 5.13 on fairly solid andesite. Most of the climbs are about a half pitch in length, but there are a few multi-pitch routes that top out.

The crag is nestled in the Blue Mountains and has an excellent vista of the nearby mountains including Mount Emily that overlooks the nearby Grande Ronde Valley. Large talus fields line the base of the crag and create an area for lazy belayers and bystanders to soak in the sun. The relatively high elevation and ability to find shady areas makes this an ideal summer crag for those hanging out in Eastern Oregon. Most people wait till the snow melts (usually April) to venture up the gravel roads.

These days the crag gets fairly crowded on the weekends with an influx of climbers from Walla Walla and Portland, but usually climbers can still get a secluded feel by skipping the first talus field.

Getting There

From La Grande: head west on I-84 until you reach the "Summit Road, Mt. Emily" exit (#243) continue to the right on the Summit Rd. for about 9 miles until you see a sign on the right that says "Whitman Route Overlook" and take the gravel road on the left. Along this road you will see multiple pull-outs where people camp and after about a mile there will be a small gravel road to the right (directly after a down-hill grade) that winds up hill. Take this road for about 1/4 mile until you reach a parking area where boulders block the road. The trail follows the road for a short distance then heads up to the left for another 10-15 minutes to the crag. The road is usually passable for any vehicle (once the snow melts).

From Pendleton: Head east on I-84 for about 30 miles till you reach exit 243 (the "Summit Rd., Mount Emily" exit). Take the exit to the left over the freeway and follow directions above from La Grande.

134 Total Climbs

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Location: Spring Mountain Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Spring Mountain

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 33
Bat Crack
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 29
Pod of God
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 12
Crack Atowa
Trad, Sport
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 22
Clean Sweep
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 31
Spring Fever
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 16
Maid in the Shade
Sport
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 37
Flaked out
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 8
Etched in Stone
Sport
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
 30
Epiphany roof
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 35
Skinny Hippie
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 39
Rally Race
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 16
Lorraine
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 33
Mojo Rising
Sport
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 26
Black out
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 15
Chubby Hubby
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Bat Crack
 33
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad
Pod of God
 29
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
Crack Atowa
 12
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad, Sport
Clean Sweep
 22
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Spring Fever
 31
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Maid in the Shade
 16
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Flaked out
 37
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Sport
Etched in Stone
 8
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Epiphany roof
 30
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b Sport
Skinny Hippie
 35
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Rally Race
 39
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Lorraine
 16
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Mojo Rising
 33
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Black out
 26
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Chubby Hubby
 15
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
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