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Elevation: 111 ft 34 m
GPS: 48.09692, -123.55647
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 41,800 total · 374/month
Shared By: Scott Underwood on Aug 2, 2017
Admins: Jon Nelson, Zachary Winters, Mitchell McAuslan

Description Suggest change

This small crag is right down on the water on the east side of the Elwha River. The wall faces west and can get hot in the morning. The routes are all short and on a band of the soft sandstone that is also found across the river at the Elwhall. Most routes are on the easy to moderate end of the spectrum, making this a great destination for beginners. The one drawback is that the river runs right up to the base of a section of the wall for most of the year, making access to most of the climbing problematic. At times it is possible to wade through the water but is not recommended when water levels are high. Your best bet is to wait until the water retreats enough (typically around the end of July) to reveal the beach at the base of the wall.

PLEASE NOTE: the climbing in the Elwha River canyon is a privilege that can be taken away. The climbing resides within an area that is part of the river restoration project following the dam removal and is currently managed by Olympic National Park. As such, no camping, no fires and no dogs are allowed at the crags. Help us protect access, camp and have a fire somewhere else and leave your dogs at home.

Getting There Suggest change

Drive Hwy 101 west to the turnoff onto Hwy 112. Take the last left turn BEFORE the Elwha river bridge on Hwy 112 onto the Lower Dam rd. You will see the parking area on the left as you drive this short rd. The parking area is the Elwha Dam Viewpoint Parking. You will hike the closed Lower Dam road past the gate for probably only about 200 feet past a heavily treed section of road. A small field will open up and you will see the obvious trail on the right. Follow this downhill all the way to the river's edge. The climbing will be to your left, up river, as you face the water.

28 Total Climbs

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Location: Waka Beach Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Waka Beach

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 19
● Scare-D-Crack
Sport
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 40
● Donut Run
Sport
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 31
● Haus Frau
Sport
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 29
● Scare-Master
Sport
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 19
● Groan Up
Sport
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 39
● Bigfoot Sprint
Sport
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 29
● Elwhatusi
Sport
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 15
● My First 14er
Sport
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 5
● Big Dam Bolt
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 16
● Cut the Mustard
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 10
● Petunia's Penthouse
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 7
● Relish
Sport
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 71
● Waka/Jawaka
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 22
● Onions
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 17
● Sum'bitch-Knockout
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Scare-D-Crack
 19
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Sport
● Donut Run
 40
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport
● Haus Frau
 31
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport
● Scare-Master
 29
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport
● Groan Up
 19
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport
● Bigfoot Sprint
 39
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
● Elwhatusi
 29
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
● My First 14er
 15
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
● Big Dam Bolt
 5
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
● Cut the Mustard
 16
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
● Petunia's Penthouse
 10
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
● Relish
 7
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
● Waka/Jawaka
 71
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Sport
● Onions
 22
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
● Sum'bitch-Knockout
 17
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
More Classic Climbs in Waka Beach »

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