punk_rocker333 Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 I heard that there is crack climbing on basalt columns at Potholes similar to Frenchman's Coulee. I was told it is not the actual Potholes State Park near the reservoir but at the Potholes in central WA. Anyone have any beta on location or rock quality? Quote
punk_rocker333 Posted February 21, 2008 Author Posted February 21, 2008 Went to my local shop here in Moscow, ID and they are out of the Rock Climbing Washington guide. Could anyone help me out? I mostly wanted to know how to drive there as well as crag locations. Quote
Off_White Posted February 21, 2008 Posted February 21, 2008 This info is from Kevin Pogue's website. His drive time is from Walla Walla, your time may vary.  Name of area: Potholes  Where: 10 miles northwest of Othello, WA  How do I get there from Walla Walla?:Take Hwy. 12 west to Hwy. 395 at Pasco. Turn right and head north on 395 until you reach Mesa. Turn left on Hwy. 17 and head north to Othello. Turn left on Hwy. 26, go two miles and turn right and head north on McManamon Rd. Follow this road north for about 5 miles where it merges with Sutton Rd. Stay northbound on Sutton Road when you come to the Deadman Lake junction. Continue north on Sutton Road for 5 more miles until you come to the Upper Goose Lake turnoff. Park at this gated turnoff and walk one half mile up the road until you see an obvious basalt cliff (the "Hall of Frustration") a quarter mile north of the road. Cross a gully and hike 10 minutes on a trail to reach the cliff.  How long of a drive is it? 2 hours  What's there?: Fairly compact basalt cliffs 25 to 40 ft. high. The area is a maze of short cliffs, blind canyons and small lakes. The Tri-Cities mountaineering club teaches basic climbing techniques here and is supposedly rather territorial about the area. Word is that they will enforce a strict traditional ethic. All of the climbing is therefore traditional and/or top-rope.  Land Ownership: Columbia Basin National Wildlife Refuge, Washington State Dept. of Wildlife  Pros: Uncrowded, scenic, fairly solid rock. Can be climbable on sunny windless winter days. Great mountain biking.  Cons:Short. Fairly long drive for minimal rock. No guidebook. 30 min. more driving puts you at Frenchman Coulee.  Comments: Nice area to visit if you feel like a weekend of exploring, including a little climbing and mountain biking. Supposedly the fishing is pretty good in the many small lakes. Check it out on your way back from Frenchman Coulee sometime. Quote
andyf Posted February 21, 2008 Posted February 21, 2008 It's also in Rock Climbs of Central Washington, by Rick LaBelle. Quote
kevino Posted February 21, 2008 Posted February 21, 2008 My ass 30 more minutes and you're in vantage. Does this guy own a helicopter or something? Quote
punk_rocker333 Posted February 21, 2008 Author Posted February 21, 2008 What does everyone think of the place? Is it pretty similar to the climbs at Frenchman's Coulee? I was thinking of heading there for a change of scenery and cracks sometime. Quote
Ducknut Posted February 22, 2008 Posted February 22, 2008 Columbia National Wildlife Refuge doesn't allow either rock climbing or mountain biking. The description is pretty vague so its hard to tell if its on Refuge lands or Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lands. I would make sure you can tell what land you are before you go climbing there. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.