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Elevation: 4,735 ft 1,443 m
GPS: 43.88753, -103.46952
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 1,305,734 total · 13,768/month
Shared By: Mikel Madsen on Feb 28, 2017 · Updates
Admins: Peter Gram, Greg Parker, Mikel Madsen, Mark Rafferty

Description Suggest change

The Needles of Rushmore encompasses most of the same areas described in the new guidebook. This is one of the more complex areas in the Black Hills. There is endless rock as far as the eye can see. With the tall granite formations of Mount Rushmore to the vast sea that is The Chessman on the flanks of Black Elk Peak 7,242ft ( Harney Peak.) Or as one looks out among the oasis of spires scattered in a serene valley. Situated ready for the next adventurer to find his or her way to their summit. The Playground offers a grand Black Hills experience and from the distance you can see the mighty Cathedral Spires and Little Devils Tower.

Getting There Suggest change

for most of the information listed on this page a good hub town for these areas is either keystone on the east or Hill City on the west. Most of the climbing lies between these two towns.

1,437 Total Climbs

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Location: The Needles Of Rushmore Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at The Needles Of Rushmore

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V6 7A
 48
Orange Roughy
Boulder
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 288
Second Hand Rose Arete
Sport
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 112
Weird Water
Trad
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 259
Gossamer
Trad, Sport
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 322
Waves
Sport 2 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 164
Star Dancer
Sport, TR
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 212
Garfield Goes To Washington
Trad 3 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 166
Pointy Little Devil
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 125
Valdez Overhang
Sport, TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 89
Lead Fillings
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 104
Evergreen
Sport
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 163
Baba Cool
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 89
The Pollinator
Sport
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 92
Mr. Critical
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 34
Ladies in Love
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Orange Roughy Mt Rushmore Nat… > … > Old Baldy Front… > Orange Roughy Boulder
 48
V6 7A Boulder
Second Hand Rose Arete Mt Rushmore Nat… > S Seas > Hornets Nest
 288
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Sport
Weird Water Mt Rushmore Nat… > … > Marker > Middle Marker Area
 112
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Gossamer Mt Rushmore Nat… > … > Monster North > Picture Window
 259
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad, Sport
Waves Mt Rushmore Nat… > S Seas > Shipyard Rock
 322
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport 2 pitches
Star Dancer Mt Rushmore Nat… > … > Marker > Middle Marker Area
 164
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport, TR
Garfield Goes To Washington Mt Rushmore Nat… > Emancipation > White House Wall
 212
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 3 pitches
Pointy Little Devil Mt Rushmore Nat… > … > Monster North > Shakers
 166
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Valdez Overhang Mt Rushmore Nat… > Chopping Block > Birthday Rock
 125
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport, TR
Lead Fillings Mt Rushmore Nat… > S Seas > Child's Molar
 89
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Evergreen Mt Rushmore Nat… > Chopping Block > Pine Tree Rock
 104
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Baba Cool Mt Rushmore Nat… > Chopping Block > Chopping Block
 163
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Sport
The Pollinator Mt Rushmore Nat… > S Seas > Hornets Nest
 89
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Mr. Critical Mt Rushmore Nat… > S Seas > Hornets Nest
 92
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Sport
Ladies in Love Mt Rushmore Nat… > S Seas > Bird's Nest
 34
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in The Needles Of Rushmore »

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