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Elevation: 4,735 ft 1,443 m
GPS: 43.88753, -103.46952
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Shared By: Mikel Madsen on Feb 28, 2017 · Updates
Admins: Peter Gram, Greg Parker, Mikel Madsen, Mark Rafferty
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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.

1,444 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

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.
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 288
● Second Hand Rose Arete
Sport
Mt Rushmore Nat… > S Seas > Hornets Nest
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 114
● Weird Water
Trad
Mt Rushmore Nat… > … > Marker > Middle Marker Area
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 259
● Gossamer
Trad, Sport
Mt Rushmore Nat… > … > Monster North > Picture Window
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 323
● Waves
Sport 2 pitches
Mt Rushmore Nat… > S Seas > Shipyard Rock
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 165
● Star Dancer
Sport, TR
Mt Rushmore Nat… > … > Marker > Middle Marker Area
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 213
● Garfield Goes To Washington
Trad 3 pitches
Mt Rushmore Nat… > Emancipation > White House Wall
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 166
● Pointy Little Devil
Sport
Mt Rushmore Nat… > … > Monster North > Shakers
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 127
● Valdez Overhang
Sport, TR
Mt Rushmore Nat… > Chopping Block > Birthday Rock
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 89
● Lead Fillings
Sport
Mt Rushmore Nat… > S Seas > Child's Molar
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 105
● Evergreen
Sport
Mt Rushmore Nat… > Chopping Block > Pine Tree Rock
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 164
● Baba Cool
Sport
Mt Rushmore Nat… > Chopping Block > Chopping Block
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 89
● The Pollinator
Sport
Mt Rushmore Nat… > S Seas > Hornets Nest
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 94
● Mr. Critical
Sport
Mt Rushmore Nat… > S Seas > Hornets Nest
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 42
● Beetle Juice
Sport
Mt Rushmore Nat… > S Seas > Hornets Nest
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 34
● Ladies in Love
Sport
Mt Rushmore Nat… > S Seas > Bird's Nest
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● 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
 114
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
 323
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport 2 pitches
● Star Dancer Mt Rushmore Nat… > … > Marker > Middle Marker Area
 165
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport, TR
● Garfield Goes To Washington Mt Rushmore Nat… > Emancipation > White House Wall
 213
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
 127
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
 105
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
● Baba Cool Mt Rushmore Nat… > Chopping Block > Chopping Block
 164
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
 94
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Sport
● Beetle Juice Mt Rushmore Nat… > S Seas > Hornets Nest
 42
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b 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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Topping out on Dire Spire
Topping out on Dire Spire
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