Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 5,284 ft
GPS: 46.61878, -112.21187
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 34,900 total · 190/month
Shared By: Orphaned User on Mar 13, 2009 · Updates
Admins: GRK, Zach Wahrer
Warning Access Issue: Approach Crosses Private Land DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Blue Cloud is a great, cragging area just west of Helena, MT. The rock is quality granite, offering an array of sport and trad routes.

Access is through private land and the climbing is on public land. Please respect the private landowners, park only in designated areas, stay on the road while hiking in, clean up after yourself, and report any vandalism or problems to the Helena Climbers Coalition.

Getting There Suggest change

The access road to Blue Cloud starts from the Baxendale Fire Department, about five miles west of Helena on Highway 12. Take a right onto Baxendale Dr. Drive north from the fire station a short distance, and turn right onto Blue Cloud Road. Continue for a few miles along the bumpy road, trending to the northeast passing a few houses along the way. The road will pass through the first of two gullies/creek crossings. As you rise out of the second creek bottom/stand of aspen trees, take the left hand fork in the road and park immediately at the T-Posts designating the parking area. As of 2013 you must park and walk from here. Walk the road crossing a gate soon after the parking lot not taking any less traveled forks in the road. After about 1 mile you'll reach the old parking area and the end of the prominent 2 track road. Follow the trail West and North another 1/4 mile from the old parking area to the base of the crag. You'll arrive at the base of Dos Amigos, the popular 2 pitch 5.6. Total approach time is about 30 min from the parking area on Blue Cloud Road.

Note: The 1st part of the road from the parking area is private property. Climbers are very lucky to be able to access Blue Cloud via this road, please respect the private property land owners and stay on the road! No Camping.

31 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Blue Cloud Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Blue Cloud

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 25
Dos Amigos
Sport 2 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 15
Blue Monday
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 17
Book of Payne
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 7
Come As You Are
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 10
Gay Martians
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 5
Crack Attack
Sport, TR
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 5
The Dude
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 4
Rat King
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 8
The Road Goes On Forever
Sport
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 4
Screwed, Blued, and Tattoed
Trad
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a
 5
Say It Ain't So
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Dos Amigos S Buttress
 25
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Sport 2 pitches
Blue Monday S Buttress
 15
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Book of Payne Sunset Wall
 17
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
Come As You Are S Buttress
 7
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Gay Martians Landing Zone
 10
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Crack Attack S Buttress
 5
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport, TR
The Dude Landing Zone
 5
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Rat King Landing Zone
 4
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
The Road Goes On Forever Sunset Wall
 8
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Screwed, Blued, and Tattoed Old Man Block
 4
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad
Say It Ain't So S Buttress
 5
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a Sport
More Classic Climbs in Blue Cloud »

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading