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The Washout

Washington > Central-E Casca… > Leavenworth > Icicle Creek > * Bouldering in Icicl…
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Description

Short of chasing recently cooled magma flows, this area is about as fresh as you're going to get. In late 2011, there was a massive landslide that ripped down the north side of icicle, taking out everything in its path, including the road. It deposited two huge boulders, covered in a much dirt as a newborn baby is slime. Local climbers went to work to clean these things off, and a handful of great problems emerged from the dust.
As of fall 2013, the landslide is less recognizable as such, with verdant greens growing throughout. A steady stream runs through it, and there are enough trees to even find some shade.
The two boulders are about the size of a garage and a shed, and the rock is of the best Leavenworth quality, although perhaps with less texture.

Getting There

7.2 miles from the departure of Icicle road from route 2, look for the fresher pavement a few hundred feet from the 8 mile campground entrance. There are smaller boulders on the downhill side of the road that were dragged out of the way by benevolent construction workers, and some drill holes in one of them. Hike uphill, on the right (east) side of the stream, and look for a small cairn to cross. You'll see the large boulders from the road until it gets grown back in. It's a 5 minute hike.

Routes from Left to Right

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Cleaning. The mud hadn't even dried yet.
[Hide Photo] Cleaning. The mud hadn't even dried yet.
The larger unearthed boulder:<br>
Lion's Den (steep)<br>
Dirty Dancing (slab)
[Hide Photo] The larger unearthed boulder: Lion's Den (steep) Dirty Dancing (slab)
Initial round of cleaning, spring 2011.
[Hide Photo] Initial round of cleaning, spring 2011.
Unearthing the Lion's Den in Spring 2011 Gravity fed hose system visible.
[Hide Photo] Unearthing the Lion's Den in Spring 2011 Gravity fed hose system visible.
First ascent of Dirty Dancing. Note how muddy everything is, including the upper half of the boulder.
[Hide Photo] First ascent of Dirty Dancing. Note how muddy everything is, including the upper half of the boulder.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Kyle Love
Seattle, WA
[Hide Comment] Some of Leavenworth's best!

youtube.com/watch?v=4xDgVwy… Oct 18, 2019
IJMayer
Guemes Island, WA
[Hide Comment] The guidebook has the approach description WRONG.

Hike up on the RIGHT side of the stream, as noted above. Apr 5, 2023