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The M (Platte Mound)

Wisconsin > South

Description

Welcome to the largest hillside M in the world.  Yep - it's bigger than Colorado's in Golden, which was the initial source of inspiration for a couple of Platteville miner majors to create a larger one in the snow back in the late '30's.  Soon thereafter, the M was properly built with limestone from around the mound and is whitewashed every spring.

The hill is fairly popular for stair-climbing enthusiasts, sunset observers, and littering delinquents, along the occasional hiker/dog.  The benches and picnic tables at the top are typically the goal of most, although some venture a few minutes to the right to check out Ol' Stoney Lookout and the surrounding areas (Tagged Slab, Pride Rock).  Keep an eye out for broken glass in these areas, courtesy of those delinquents previously mentioned.  The trail to the left leads to the other areas where few people are encountered, as the approach for us climbers is 15-20 minutes from the top.  Please be respectful of the resident back here, although I've never actually seen them...

Overall, the limestone here is in poor condition, but most of the boulders listed here possess decent rock.  Further development is possible, but bring brushes, and maybe a small crowbar.  Please pack out your trash, and consider picking up existing litter even though it may be a losing battle.

Getting There

The coolest thing about this place is that you can see the big white M from a good distance away.  The mound itself is prominent, although the Belmont mound is nearby but smaller, so watch out.

There are two good ways to get there from downtown Platteville.  Option one is to take Broadway St. past Mound View Park, which turns into County B and takes you there.  If you need to stop at Walmart, McDonald's, or Goodwill on the way, option two takes Business 151 under Hwy 151 and turns left onto W Mound Rd.
Either way you'll see the parking lot right under the M, which is the best parking for most of the climbing, although the Pelo del Perro boulder is easier to find if you drive down the road a little farther.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Aerial shot showing the general locations of the areas
[Hide Photo] Aerial shot showing the general locations of the areas
The high point of the Pelo del Perro boulder.
[Hide Photo] The high point of the Pelo del Perro boulder.
THE INFAMOUS "M"
[Hide Photo] THE INFAMOUS "M"
This is a map of bouldering east (right) of the M.
[Hide Photo] This is a map of bouldering east (right) of the M.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Phil K
Montello, WI
[Hide Comment] Went to school at UW-P and visited the M-Mound on several occasions. Back in early 80's there was a lot of bouldering rocks near the top and right of the large M. I was there in the fall of 2014 and so much is hidden by cedar and scrub brush....could very well be a hidden gem. Sep 19, 2015
[Hide Comment] Is there anything more here to develop? Also has anyone developed the good boulder at all? Nov 14, 2019
the rock bobster
New London, WI
[Hide Comment] Development is still possible in most of the existing areas. I just added the two lines already done on the Good Boulder, but there are definitely more to do on it. Bring brushes. Mar 24, 2020