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Raspberry Boulder

Montana > Southwest Region > Bozeman Area > Hyalite Canyon
Warning Access Issue: Potential road closures in winter. DetailsDrop down

Description

This boulder is a diamond in the rough, located across Hyalite Creek towards the bottom of the drive up to the reservoir. I want to preface this by stating that we were unable to find any indication, evidence, or information supporting that this boulder was ever developed previously. If you have knowledge otherwise please email us at sierrada08@gmail.com or camsurprenant@gmail.com and we will happily update names and FAs appropriately.

This boulder was first spotted by Cam on one of our many drives up to Hyalite. He spotted the top of the boulder lurking across the creek and for the next 10 months it taunted us waiting to be climbed. Summer 2020 we finally found a good path across the creek (we hate cold water) and our suspicions were correct, it is one beefy rock. This granite boulder lurks underneath a craggy vein (which holds potential for more problems) and is completely shielded by forest on every side. This creates really great conditions even on windy days. The rock itself is still fairly dirty with lichen and dirt even though we did our best to clean it up. It took a lot of cleaning which is why we were led to believe no one had climbed there, at least not in a really long time.

As of this posting we haven't not climbed in the winter, but our suspicion is that crossing the creek and potential snow build up may make it a challenging approach, but the boulder itself should be great as long as it's dry. There is a suspiciously natural (or maybe not so natural?) trail leading up to the rock. We moved some small rocks and fallen branches approaching the boulder to support the trail. There is vegetation, especially immediately crossing the river, so please do your best to stick to the trail so as to not disturb it in efforts to minimize trace.

Getting There

Park at the second pull out on the right after the Hyalite information parking lot. Walk about 60 yards up the road to a small clearing with a bent wire wall down to the creek. There should be a fallen log directly to your right once you are down on the creek. From here look left across the creek and you should see the remnants of an old bridge footing in the middle. Follow shallow water and exposed rocks to the other bank. Once across, follow the suspiciously natural trail along the hill to a big fallen tree. Follow this tree up the hill, and the boulder should come into view. Refer to picture for details.

Routes from Left to Right

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

northwest side of boulder
[Hide Photo] northwest side of boulder
West face of boulder
[Hide Photo] West face of boulder
South face of boulder
[Hide Photo] South face of boulder
North face of boulder
[Hide Photo] North face of boulder
East face of boulder
[Hide Photo] East face of boulder
Approach crossing the creek
[Hide Photo] Approach crossing the creek

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

[Hide Comment] Made the slog across the creek last fall(October 2022), and found the raspberry boulder. We also checked out the seam above. This could be a really sweet area with more climbers getting out there. There’s definitely a good bit of moss and lichen on the rocks though. Jul 30, 2023
[Hide Comment] Went early Spring and set a route (spring 2024), a fair bit of moss and lichen all over. Watch out for animal mating closures or you will have to hike from the first gate of the canyon inward. Apr 13, 2025