kklions Posted June 18, 2007 Posted June 18, 2007 I'm wondering if any of you Leavenworth veterans can give me some directions to Playground point. It sounds exactly what I'm looking for (good beginner sport routes) but I had a devil of a time looking for it last summer and I was hoping to try again. I'm quite sure we had the right trailhead as shown in Kramer's guide (just a little east of Hammerhead rock), the problem is that after a short hike there is really no trail just a big hillside with footprints going everywhere. We wandered in all directions and saw a fair number of rocks, but nothing bolted that looked anything like the climbs described in the book. Very hot and frustrating afternoon. At any rate, if anyone can describe in better detail than the book the best way to find the Playground Point area, I'd be forever grateful. Thanks Quote
Weekend_Climberz Posted June 18, 2007 Posted June 18, 2007 I was out there yesterday. It sounds like you are on the right trail to start with and yes, with all the bouldering around there appears to many trails. Work your way to the east on the flat trail, then up and over some boulders until you come to a fairly good size bench with a huge overhanging rock with a fire ring below it. Start heading up hill from here and the crag is pretty much straight up. You can see some routes from this flat area which are distinguished by the white streaks breaking the dark lichen covered rocks. I agree in that it is a little tricky to find. Quote
dt_3pin Posted June 18, 2007 Posted June 18, 2007 I'm wondering if any of you Leavenworth veterans can give me some directions to Playground point. It sounds exactly what I'm looking for (good beginner sport routes) but I had a devil of a time looking for it last summer and I was hoping to try again. oh my. Quote
montypiton Posted June 18, 2007 Posted June 18, 2007 from your description, I'd guess you were on the right trail, but started looking too low. I agree its tricky sorting out which might be the "through-trail", but if you keep working uphill, you eventually run into the cliff-band that Kramar's book calls Playground Point. Do take a few nuts or cams - the bolt placements are sometimes spread a little more than may be comfortable or safe for an inexperienced lead-climber... Quote
catbirdseat Posted June 18, 2007 Posted June 18, 2007 The trail to Playground point starts down the hill a ways from Hammerhead Rock. Look for a stream and a gully. The trail begins on the right side of the gully trending left from the road, but quickly switches back to the right and up a sort of ramp. That ramp takes you up on a flat bench well above the road. Follow the trail through pretty trees and meadows until it starts to climb. It will go through a bouldering area known as Mad Meadows. Continue following the trail upwards and it will wend its way through some big boulders and turn left and uphill. The first bolted route you will come to is called Baby Steps, 5.4, and excellent beginner lead. To the left of it is a beginner trad route called Baby Behind the Tree, 5.3. It features one bolt and the rest is protected by nuts and TCU's. Up and to your left is Birthday Boy, a fun 5.7 bolted route. To the left of that is a fun beginner trad route that starts by the tree. It goes at about 5.3-5.4 and takes nuts and TCU's and some larger cams. Have fun. Quote
Weekend_Climberz Posted June 18, 2007 Posted June 18, 2007 You can also do Birthday Boy and have the second follow, instead of lowering off. Then you end up at the upper tier of Playground Point and another area of 5.7's and a 5.8. Quote
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