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Elevation: 4,400 ft
GPS: 37.41601, -118.43994
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 1,151,083 total · 5,818/month
Shared By: AWinters on Jan 22, 2008
Admins: Aron Quiter, Euan Cameron, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes

Description Suggest change

Just north of Bishop, the floor of the Owens Valley rises abruptly forming a 300 foot-high volcanic plateau that runs for miles from east to west, stretching north to the higher Sherwin Plateau. Along the southern rim, numerous canyons and washes containing thousands of boulders can be found slicing into and through the plateau - including the two that make up the Happy and Sad bouldering areas. Dozens of other rises and rock bands are scattered throughtout to quench the explorer's thirst.

Pack out ALL trash, control your dogs, and avoid ALL plants and vegetation! They are disappearing rapidly in these areas due to heavy foot traffic! Please let them grow.

 Avoid ALL physical contact with Petroglyphs


This area is often referred to as 'The Mesa' to locals...

Getting There Suggest change

From US 395 in Bishop, take US 6 north out of town towards Benton/Chalfant/Tonopah. After 1.3 miles, turn left on Five Bridges Rd. Follow this down the straightaway around the left-hand curve, past the Aggregate Plant to a 4-way intersection where the pavement turns to dirt. Take a left on Chalk Bluff Rd. for the Happy and Sad Boulders.

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771 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Volcanic Tablelands (Happy/Sad Boulders) Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Volcanic Tablelands (Happy/Sad Boulders)

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V0 4 PG13
 146
The Pursuit of Wow
Boulder
V0 4
 268
China Doll
Boulder
V1 5 PG13
 685
Heavenly Path
Boulder
V3 6A R
 157
Black Magic
Boulder
V4 6B
 483
Ketron Classic
Boulder
V4 6B
 276
The Fang
Boulder
V5 6C
 434
Serengeti
Boulder
V5 6C
 181
Strength in Numbers (Original SIN)
Boulder
V5 6C
 226
Molly
Boulder
V6 7A
 353
The Hulk
Boulder
V6 7A R
 91
Atari
Boulder
V6 7A PG13
 156
Mister Witty
Boulder
V6 7A
 178
Every Color You Are
Boulder
V6 7A
 95
French Press
Boulder
V7+ 7A+
 67
Morning Dove White
Boulder
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
The Pursuit of Wow Happy Boulders > Tom Peter's Sla… > Tom Peter's Slab
 146
V0 4 PG13 Boulder
China Doll Sad Boulders > Molly Area
 268
V0 4 Boulder
Heavenly Path Happy Boulders > Central Happine… > Heavenly Path Boulder
 685
V1 5 PG13 Boulder
Black Magic Happy Boulders > … > Blood Simple Area > Black Magic Boulder
 157
V3 6A R Boulder
Ketron Classic Happy Boulders > Savannah Area > Savannah Boulder
 483
V4 6B Boulder
The Fang Sad Boulders > Sad Parrot Area > Bird Cage Boulder
 276
V4 6B Boulder
Serengeti Happy Boulders > Serengeti Area > Serengeti Boulder
 434
V5 6C Boulder
Strength in Numbers (Origin… Sad Boulders > Strength in Num… > Strength in Numbers
 181
V5 6C Boulder
Molly Sad Boulders > Molly Area
 226
V5 6C Boulder
The Hulk Happy Boulders > Central Happine… > Happy Boulder
 353
V6 7A Boulder
Atari Happy Boulders > E Rim Area > Atari Area
 91
V6 7A R Boulder
Mister Witty Happy Boulders > W Rim Area > Desert Skies/Morning…
 156
V6 7A PG13 Boulder
Every Color You Are Happy Boulders > W Rim Area > Desert Skies/Morning…
 178
V6 7A Boulder
French Press Sad Boulders > Misery Area > Misery Cave
 95
V6 7A Boulder
Morning Dove White Happy Boulders > W Rim Area > Desert Skies/Morning…
 67
V7+ 7A+ Boulder
More Classic Climbs in Volcanic Tablelands (Happy/Sad Boulders) »

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