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Shark Rock Rock Climbing

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Routes in Shark Rock

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EZ Way T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b PG13

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Elevation:	5,356 ft
GPS:	46.27023, -121.86027 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	2,207 total · 28/month
Shared By:	Kelly Wagner on Oct 21, 2017
Admins:	Nate Ball, Jon Nelson, Micah Klesick, Zachary Winters Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

1/2 way between Mt St Helens & Mt Adams, in the Dark Divide. Seldom visited, pristine. Land of the Mt Goat!
Very solid rock, with lots of opportunities for new routes. Protection is extremely difficult, because cracks tend to be minute. The west face is not vertical, but has few cracks. The east face is vertical to overhanging and is very blocky with better protection options. Please, no bolts, let's keep this a Trad Sanctuary!

Getting There

The Drive: Drive FR25 to FR2551, which is just south of Elk Pass. Drive east on rough but passable gravel for 1 5/8 miles, to an unmarked spur on the left. It seems someone brushed out this road, fall 2017. If you can handle the first 25 feet, the rest is a piece of cake. A Subaru Outback can handle it easily! (Or park about 100 feet past the spur.) Do take along some pruning loppers to deal with the inevitable slide alder branch. Drive or walk up the spur .45 miles & 120 ft EG or .5 miles & 135 ft to flagged connector trails on the left. These little tie trails to the Boundary Trail are only about 50 feet long.
The Hike: Walk the Boundary Trail 2 1/4 miles to scenic little Badger Lake (1050 feet EG). Continue 2 3/4 miles & 700 feet EG to the last switch-back before the crest of the ridge. To access the west face, from the switch-back, start an almost level, 200 foot traverse through open timber, dropping only about 25 feet. You will break out on the open west slope of the rock.
Expect another 600 feet EG on the return hike.