Backcountry Bouldering

[percious]

Hey there climbers and hikers alike.

I am looking for some remote bouldering areas preferably in the southern dax. I am not a greedy first-ascentionist, rather I would like to take my 4-year-old out camping and mix in some bouldering for the both of us.

So, do any of you know of any places with both boulders and a 3-4 mile hike. Any place that you would consider a "destination" by it's shear beauty? I'm all ears.

-percious

[JClimbs]

BC bouldering...hmmm.
Well, I know a few places that might do:
Hiking from Garnet Lake to Round Pond, there are a few boulders at the height of land just before dropping toward Rd Pd. You could probably camp somewhere on the knoll just north of the trail. It's an in/out trip, though you could walk out via Mud Pond and walk along Garnet Lake Road back to your vehicle, though that would be quite a big hike (you could stash your gear and walk light from Mud Pond to your car, then drive round to get it). It's 2.5 miles each way in/out; I'm not sure how much if you walk the road to loop it.
I just wandered around Gore Mtn.'s boulders with Jeremy Haas today and there is a plethora of opportunity there, plus you have one of the nicest lean-tos in the Adks to stay in. That is again, 2.4 miles each way from the Ski Bowl trailhead; though if the gondola is running you can hike down to the leanto then out to the parking lot and cut a lot of altitude gain and distance.
Crane Mtn. has its own fantastic collection of boulders, in several different areas. You could spend months exploring different bouldering opportunities there and in the nearby Paintbed Ravine (between Crane & Huckleberry).
I remember the trail up Giant has some big boulders with chalk marks on 'em; and if you care to do the Eagle Slide (NOT recommended for your young'n) the streambed is full of 'em.
Keep in mind that BC boulders are going to be vegetated, mossy, and chossy. Bring a wire brush and a crash pad or at least a piece of tarp to keep your shoes dry. Don't go wild scraping lichen off; just find the holds and clear them only. I'm not sure of the legality of *any* such gardening, but I suspect if you are prudent and conservative you'll be OK. Just don't go brushing away when the botany club walks by!
I imagine almost any good sized mountain will have a few boulders along its southern slopes.

[chairrock]

How big are the boulders you are looking for?

[percious]

I think I have settled on Crane mountain. Usually if there are boulders big enough for me, there are some smaller ones appropriate for my son around. So, if anyone has any info about locations around Crane I would be appreciative. (Topo's, GPS coords, etc.)

Thanks to everyone who responded thus far.

-percious

[quasimodo1]

To percious; Did some unintentional bouldering in New Mexico, climbing some mesas in the Raton area of NE NM. Some of them were as big as busses and actually moved a little when you walked on them. That's probably more than you're looking for and the area is 48 hours of non-stop driving with a partner to relieve you. Amtrak goes there but the closest real airport is quite a ways. Besides, the drive is a pip. Lot's of other stuff to check out, like Capulin National Monument, the Kiowa national grasslands, Latir and Wheeler Peak, not to mention the anglo, native american and hispanic populations are in equal thirds. Most people very hospitable but the backcountry has a few shooters. Second most desirable place for true wilderness(in my view). Sincerely, quasimodo1

[Neil]

Near Basin's summit

[C4C]

I think I have settled on Crane mountain. Usually if there are boulders big enough for me, there are some smaller ones appropriate for my son around. So, if anyone has any info about locations around Crane I would be appreciative. (Topo's, GPS coords, etc.)

Thanks to everyone who responded thus far.

-percious

Jclimbs is THE MAN for Crane mnt info, if he can't help you nobody can.

[JClimbs]

Crane Mtn: at the state trailhead parking lot (top of Sky High Road), instead of turning left at the Registry or heading straight up the mountain, head right, past the old decrepit outhouse and an old foundation. About 100 meters farther, you will begin to find boulders strewn about the woods. This is the Boulderwoods, just now starting to get noticed by bouldering afficianados. Ridiculously close to the cars with ridiculous numbers of boulders.
I brought my son here when he was but a tadpole of 3. We camped out in the sinkhole (you will see it), which was dry at the time. The next day we bushwhacked up the mountain just east of the trail. My son actually found caves he could crawl into under the boulders. That made Dad a bit nervous, since he couldn't squeeze into those same holes, but the boy loved it and managed in at least one spot to crawl perhaps 20 meters up the mountain whilst simultaneously under it. Cool.
If you continue walking along the base of the mountain away from the trailhead, heading slightly north of east, you will find plenty to keep you busy and intrigued. If you come up some evening after work, I'd be happy to show the place off...

[C4C]

Hey Jay, I wandered through the boulderwoods today. Amazing. -Todd

[JClimbs]

It's a great place. Did you go all the way out to the Measles Wall? That's about a 20 minute walk east of the parking lot.
Jeremy, Doc, and several others have been busily sending lines on the nearest bunch of boulders (the Excedrin Headache, Frankenstein, Ferntops, King, and Whale to name a few), but they've not penetrated far yet - too much exists right close to the trailhead.

[C4C]

It's a great place. Did you go all the way out to the Measles Wall? That's about a 20 minute walk east of the parking lot.
Jeremy, Doc, and several others have been busily sending lines on the nearest bunch of boulders (the Excedrin Headache, Frankenstein, Ferntops, King, and Whale to name a few), but they've not penetrated far yet - too much exists right close to the trailhead.

I think so. Iwalked all the way back til where the orange tape changes to blue and you run into the state boundary line. I saw a lot of prime routes that haven't bee touched yet. Do you want to get together next week sometime? -Todd

[JClimbs]

I just got my schedule, but it's a bit messed up next week (I need Saturday off but am currently listed as working; this may change the days off listed - or net me another day off and a day's less pay). If all else holds, I have Tuesday and Thursday off. One of those days will probably be a Gunks day.
That said, I can always run up there in the evenings even if I'm working. I can generally get to the boulderwoods by 6:30p any day except Sundays.
Sounds like you went pretty far; though the Measles Wall is up above the bench that the trail follows; pretty close to your farpoint.

[C4C]

Is the measles wall the really big set that looks kinda like a broken dinosaur egg that has pock marks in the stone? Big cave overhang on the north side? Thursday night is a climbers gathering up at the Makenzie pond boulders. Are you going out to gull pond today?

[JClimbs]

I went to Gull Pond but got rained out before accomplishing my goals - bummer.
Sounds like you got to the Dinosaur Egg Group, or perhaps to the King and Whale.
I might be able to make it to M.P., but if the weather is nice that's one of my days off and I may head down to the Gunks.