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Dorsal Fin

Utah > Wasatch Range > Northern Wasatch > Bear Lake Area

Description

A large limestone fin reaches the road. It's covered in great grippy little bulges with some pockets, edges and cracks.

The west face should produce plenty of fun, easy routes in the 5.6-5.9 range. The east (up canyon) face is overhanging with few weaknesses and crumbly rock.

Top roping is possible with a hike to the first major notch dividing the fin. It's a somewhat exposed knife blade up there.

Getting There

About half a mile up Highway 30 from Laketown (southern tip of the lake), you'll find a large limestone fin on the right just before the tight corners (if you're coming from Wyoming, this is immediately after the 20-mph corner advertised all the way down).

There's a decent sized pull out just below it.

Routes from Left to Right

5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 6
● Gills
Trad
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 2
● Fin Stein
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 5
● Step it Fin
TR
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 4
● Finnish Line
Trad
4th 1 2 I 2 M 1b
 2
● Whale Rider
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Gills
 6
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad
● Fin Stein
 2
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
● Step it Fin
 5
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c TR
● Finnish Line
 4
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
● Whale Rider
 2
4th 1 2 I 2 M 1b Trad

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Base area of the climb. It's steep and loose. The large rock in the center bottom of this picture came loose while we were scrambling to the base.
[Hide Photo] Base area of the climb. It's steep and loose. The large rock in the center bottom of this picture came loose while we were scrambling to the base.
A look at upper Dorsal Fin.
[Hide Photo] A look at upper Dorsal Fin.
Picture of Dorsal Fin with routes and ongoing projects (as of 4 Aug 13).
[Hide Photo] Picture of Dorsal Fin with routes and ongoing projects (as of 4 Aug 13).
Dorsal Fin is just below the 20 mph curve. Great routes waiting for bolts with names available like "gill", "fishure", etc.
[Hide Photo] Dorsal Fin is just below the 20 mph curve. Great routes waiting for bolts with names available like "gill", "fishure", etc.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Alex Peterson
Kamas, Utah
[Hide Comment] Nice thing about the routes on Dorsal Fin is they sit in the shade all morning (until about noon) during the summer. Note that TR'ing the routes is doable, but bring very long slings as you don't want rope running over the sharp rock edges that are still there. Also, b/c the rock is still loose on the cliff face; it makes sense for any TR belayers to move uphill and away from cliff side of your climber. Finally, for TR belayers, the hill side is very steep and easy to slip on, so plan your belay stance accordingly. Aug 4, 2013
Wayne Pullman
[Hide Comment] Wanted to take my boating friends out for a little rock climbing. I planned on building an anchor, but found a nice set of chains for "Step it Fin" and another set above this to help you lean over the side to set it up. Thanks to the person who did this. No worries about extending them too. Super easy to walk around and set up a top rope. It ended up being a great place to spend a little time between wake boarding and eating raspberry shakes. So bring your gear next time you hit Bear Lake. Sep 8, 2019
jon.koberstein
[Hide Comment] This was a great place to introduce some of my family to climbing during our vacation! Thanks for setting up these beginner friendly routes! Be aware that the base of the climb is steep, loose and fairly narrow. Jul 29, 2022