Why Mount Woodson is a Cult-Classic Crag - Yahoo Sports For whatever reason in 1894, the post office was actually moved TO the Silver Pick Mine. Wilson its rating comes near the end of the climb, near the summit. The Stone Masters Competition 1986, too, was all done on top rope; the promotional flier says, There will be mandatory top ropes on all routes., Woodson climbers also differed on cleaning methods. Photo by Chillino Rock Climbing 2. Wilson Peak (and the Rock of Ages saddle) is roughly 0.7 miles from Navajo Lake. There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the size and number of potato chips used to create the mountain. mrtropy Trad climber Nor Cal This road leads to the summit of Mount Woodson and the established climbing areas. Of all the mountain ranges and sub-ranges in Colorado that supported mining (keep in mind, not all areas are pocked and torn from mining), the San Juan Mountains were unequivocally of the largest. However, in the end, Telluride won out. "The Nutcracker" explores the mental challenges of solo climbing and the tactics Cornell used to help him send the route. (103), Comments You'll start along the Sumac Trail before turning left to follow the Lake Poway Trail for a short distance. There is no end to the variety of boulders in this field, and there is a fire road that runs through the field. Mount Woodson Rock climbing 334 routes in crag Grade context: US Photos: 1 Ascents: 116 334 BLDV VBVB+V0-V0V0+V1V2V3V4V5 V7 V9 Edit location 500 m 2000 ft + Leaflet | ARCGIS Directions in Google Maps Find Accommodation Seasonality Plan your Trip Check Weather Find Accommodation Guidebooks Areas Add area (s) Add topo Reorder Bulk edit Name View Woodson Mountain Image Gallery - 15 Images. Add New Photo Photos Laps on laps on laps 1 Cruisin' through the good hands (for me)to the 2 Off-fingers/thin-hands 1 The trailhead is only another 0.3 miles further. After a few tries it stuck. Heading out the door? I do believe Sunshine Mesa (Bilk Basin) is just a tad closer in terms of mileage but the trail is much rougher and harder to follow. Whether or not climbers now are aware of the sins of our fathers is unclear. Charleston, Things We Shouldnt Have Done: Tried to Solo Swan Slab That Night, Six Tips for Becoming THE WORST Trad Climber. Summer is more of a bit of no-go since the sun is relentless and the approach doesnt have much shade. Mt Woodson has over 400 climbs, many of them cracks and slab suitable for all climbing levels. Openings in the rock access a labyrinth of subterranean tunnels and passages below. There will be a mile of switchbacks, and it will suck. Mount Agassiz makes for an excellent overnight climb, sometimes climbed with nearby Mount Goode on the other side of Bishop Pass. There are a couple guidebooks to the area, namely Craig Frys Southern California Bouldering and San Diego County Bouldering by Dave Kennedy and Chris Hubbard. Cars have been vandalized at this parking area so put your wallet in your bag. The road soon leads back to the center of the basin. If you have pain in your knees or another joint, you may want to bring a walking stick or knee brace. The sign says "Silver Pick Basin - 5". It is the second highest peak in the San Juan Mountains eclipsed only be Uncompaghre Peak and is the highest point in the Lizard Head Wilderness and San Miguel Mountains (mini-range). Where to stay: Woodson is located oddly close to San Diego proper, so any number of motels to high class resorts are available to you southwest of the park. Second, I love a good struggle, and fighting through Southern California chaparral raises struggle to the next level. The hike will be completed before the sun goes down and the heat sets. Download area map for . Mount Woodson, Rock climbing | theCrag Feeling desperate to escape downhill, I double checked all the possibilities. There is a path back to your car that you must follow once you reach the summit. If I jammed my rope into that wrist lock, I could pull up on it high enough to throw my hand into the jam. Go west on San Diego County Route S-4 a.k.a. Hiking Potato Chip Rock and the Mt Woodson Summit in San Diego (5.12a). Physical Rating. A few camping sites dont allow fires but these, the last time I was up there were signed as such. You can hike to the summit of Mount Woodson and the surrounding area from a variety of trails. Mt. I digress. When: Spring and fall are ideal since it remains fairly temperate and not too sunny. On the north slope of Mount Woodson, giant boulders are piled on top of each other. I could barely turn the key in the door. Dunton Road is NOT plowed or maintained in winter but the frequent snowmobilers will make life easier for a short while! I had an idea. Winter works too, but the possibility of rain (and sometimes hail) is higher. Woodson a special climbing or hiking adventure. A large parking lot is available for parking horse trailers. It was mapped as Woodson Mountain in honor of a prominent homesteader who moved here in 1895, confederate dentist Dr. Marshall Clay Woodson, and now it's best known as Mount Woodson. From the center of the Golden State to the Mexican border, Southern California Rock Climbing highlights over 60 climbing areas to experience firsthand on the most epic rock-climbing road trip. The Stanley Hotel would come after another five years. For more by Ron Amick, see So Sandbagged on Serpentine.. There is also car-camping at the Kilpacker Trailhead but this is limited to the spaces available. (1 ), Professor Keith Brueckner's invaluable 1987 phamphlet, Great Woodson climbing pictures, stories, and history, A current trip report by one of the original Poway Mountain Boys, only degree confluence in San Diego County, Hiking, Trad Climbing, Sport Climbing, Toprope, Bouldering, Aid Climbing. Since moving to San Diego California to go to college, Mount Woodson has quickly become my local ego-shattering crag. This cave didnt look familiar at all. Ron Kauk (left), in all his short-short long sock glory (photo by Michael Stewart), the author (right), near tears as he pushes the limits of his groin muscles. Enraged, I found a sharp flake and chopped at the trunk until I could push the tree over. Inyo National Forest - Cottonwood Lakes Trail - US Forest Service I knew there was a cave system under my feet that would take me to the bottom. Nevermind that I had climbed the rest of the crack free, I had sought history, I had found it and failed to relive it. San Diego, CA. These three Fourteeners are generally attempted last because of their isolation and distance from the Front Range (think population). A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own Works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where The Earth and community of life are untrammeled by man, while man Himself is a visitor who does not remain.This was written in 1964 and has come to stand for the importance and signifigence of keeping the wilderness wild and virgin. Why Mount Woodson is a Cult-Classic Crag - Climbing To jump onto Potato Chips slab, you must first descend four feet off a boulder. Like Omega, it too experienced a tragically short lifespan but buildings still exist including the old post office. WHERE TO STAY: Among the 57 Fourteeners (or whatever list one ascribes to, there's heated debate over the exact number), there are only a few peaks that have standard routes graded as 4th class or higher. Woodson offers hundreds of boulder and toprope problems from 5.3 to 5.13, but it is famous for its highball cracks. My knuckles were going to pop out of my fingers, and I was close to tears, only two feet up Lie Detector (5.12a). I want to get . View Mount Wilson Image Gallery - 138 Images. In 1980, it received (officially) wilderness status and has since retained that designation. The archival record too seems to back up his claim, since Lynn Hill top-roped the John Bachar classic, (5.11c). Hikers should be aware that mountain lion habitats exist in the area they are visiting. Woodson trail. This group included Rick Piggot and Greg Cameron, who would lead the Boys to push the grade ceiling of the time, climbing 5.11+ cracks in the area and putting up hard ascents in Yosemite. When you visit the park, youll be able to see not only the beautiful views of San Diego, but also the stars. He lives in Poway, California. On weekends it opens at 6:00 a.m. and there is a $10.00 access fee for Non-Residents. It is class 2 the entire way to the Rock of Ages Saddle (13,000 ft) and thanks to some very hard and ongoing work by the CFI in surmounting the obstacles that local land owner, Rusty Nichols made difficult for the climbing community, this approach can be considered a viable avenue again with some minor detours along the way including an entirely new trailhead (opened in August of 2011). The ridge line over to El Diente is amazing and the singularity of the ridge line from Wilson Peak to Gladstone Peak (named for a British PM, William E. Gladstone, 1809-1898 by a small group of four climbers of whom three were British) is head-spinning. The winter road closures are typically far from summer trailheads. Because of its location to El Diente and Wilson Peak, any one of four possible approaches wont involve any significant additional mileage. The summit plays host to some of the best climbing around so get your hiking shoes ready because that's where we like to go! After 1 mile turn right onto Dos Picos Park Road. Length: 12 days. Saw Pit became incorporated. Ive read how Saw Pit was named for a nearby creek but Ive also read how the name was derived from a rather larger than usual saw pit on site. Desert reflections . That account has been buried in the Amick archives for many years, but was recently rediscovered by my wife as she searched for a recipe for chile relleno quiche. I slid down the washboard out of control, bringing a small avalanche behind me, hit a pile of debris at the bottom, and was half-buried by the following avalanche. With my last dying gasp, I chimneyed between the boulder and the slope, and when I squeezed through I was standing on the dirt road again. Bushwhacking down the north face was the worst-case scenario, though. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, thousands of training plans, and more. Avalanche danger is high on these peaks due to the overall pitch/steepness. Families will find this trail to be very simple and well-maintained, making it an ideal choice. I headed back to my pack but my way was blocked by a pair of large sumac that had grown together across a gap in the rocks. Wilson. I managed to hang onto the rope, grating my knuckles raw, for approximately five seconds, until my grip failed, I burned through the grainy flare below and decked out pretty hard, gaining three deep scrapes across my belly. After all, it hadnt been that bad. Mount Agassiz : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost I explored the remaining passages and still found no tunnel that connected to the cave system I had descended years earlier. This is a first come- first serve campground. Turn left (north) and drive on CA-67 for approximately 4.7 miles.Parking: Park off the road on the right (south) shoulder of CA-67 near the intersection with Hedy Dr. Watch for the California Division of Forestry fire station on the left. Climbing in Mount Woodson, San Diego County - Mountain Project Look directly south up on the steep slope to see the remnants of the Silver Pick mine. There was an opening above one of the corridors, though, and if I climbed back to the surface I might be able to bypass whatever was blocking the tunnels, then find an entrance to the cave system on the other side. Their efforts have added double digit bouldering and a slew of new-age classics, recharging this old school crag with excellent quality modern bouldering. It lasted roughly 10 years. It supported multiple buildings including a post office, a few saloons, general mercantile and even a small hotel. All domesticated pets must be in control whether that means via voice command or leash.7.) Any cancellation requests submitted within 5 days of the scheduled outing are not eligible for a refund. Top rope bolts are common on anything above 15 feet and almost guaranteed if its above 20, which, as always, leads to bolt fuckery and sabotage. The route is only accessible by hiking along either side of the mountain, though the majority of people simply return to the path they started from. Protection Boulder problem, Standard Rack. So horrible was my experience that I wrote up the account as soon as I could use my hands again. Thank god, I thought, I have found the descent. San Francisco, CA 94110 Also known as the Silver Pick approach stemming from the mine located at the head of Fall River Creek, the Silver Pick Mine, this is the most efficient and direct route to gain the summit of Wilson Peak. This is a common theme in the mining years throughout Colorado. Stackhouse sees his role in the site as much historian as moderator. Interesting boulder fields and a spectacular view make Mt. Want Some Beta? Woodson Mountain - Wikipedia (8), Wilson Group - Wilson Peak, Gladstone, El Diente, Mount Wilson, Mount Wilson From Navajo Lake TH and Return via Kilpacker, Under dark skies: El Diente, Mount Wilson, Wilson Peak, Hiking, Mountaineering, Mixed, Scrambling, Skiing. I dropped down into knee-deep leaves on the floor, spooking a couple moths the size of my hand. Im not sure why the Potato Chip Rock hike is so popular on the Internet. Minors under the age of 18 will need a parent guardian signature. This climb, The Crucible, is right next to it. Mt Woodson Trip Report / Mt. Woodson Rock Climbing Blog Golden Woodson, more than anywhere else Ive climbed, adheres to a finger-mangling sandbagging tradition. Mt. Woodson Golf Club and is about 6 miles roundtrip, unpaved, and slighly wilder than the other two trailheads. *All participants will be required to fill out a release of liability waiver and COVID-19 form prior to any scheduled outing. You must be logged in to create a custom PDF. Sadly, like other great peoples of historythe Indus valley dwellers, the Rapa Nui, or the Khmer, the original developers of Woodson in the 1960s are, in Belles words shrouded in the mists of prehistory. What history is available must be pieced together from what tidbits and shreds of information remain. Golden State Guiding LLC, All Rights Reserved, Ladies Weekend Out Mammoth // Mental Approach to Climbing. I tried to climb up the wall of deadfall, but it kept breaking. The mountain is home to a number of popular climbing routes, including the popular Potato Chip Rock. I staggered back a few feet, seeing stars, and touched my forehead, where a bloody knot had already risen. There are four water spigots but no public phone or flush toilets. Edit: Another thing that I forgot. The trail will guide to a paved road that continuous to the top of the mountain. Telluride never really suffered this problem at least, not to the extent that the lower altitude towns did. For a more detailed description that includes associated pictures, please visit Bills page on this subject. From the start of the road, drive 3.1 miles to an intersection. Mt. Woodson - Daily Climbing Forecast - ClimbingWeather.com Summer is more of a bit of no-go since the sun is relentless and the approach doesnt have much shade. Mount Wilson can be approached from a number of different trailheads. The name, Fall Creek is simply a general term for a river or creek that seems to have an overabundance of waterfalls. Oh. Adam Stackhouse, a Mountain Project administrator and Woodson local, has bolted many a Woodson route and is a self described proud owner of a Bosch Bulldog. Stackhouse takes the stance that, because Woodson is so predominantly top-rope bolted, there shouldnt be any problem bolting something that could be protected traditionally. Mount Woodson (Potato Chip Rock) via Lake Poway The brush went on forever, and I was fading. 2.25 miles (there are some possible campsites along the way) to the new Rock of Ages trailhead near 10,350.From the new Rock of Ages trailhead, hike south and then southeast on the Rock of Ages (#429) trail to enter Silver Pick Basin near 11,300'. Mt Woodson is a popular climbing destination near San Diego, California. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. How 1990s Rifle Laid the Foundation for Hard American Sport Climbing, The Visionary Appeal of Fontainebleaus Bouldering Circuits. More than 20 years ago some friends and I came across a chasm that looked intriguing, but we did not explore it. However, in general, potato chip hikes are not considered to be overly difficult, especially when compared to other types of hikes or outdoor activities. Many are so dreadfully sheer that one might be so bold to label sections unclimbable. Cost: $3385. Turn right (west) onto FR 535 (also signed as Dunton Road). Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. The act of creation which exists in The Widow Bereft is just a small sample of the surreal human presence in Woodson. A lot of the climbs are off in the weeds. Drive over Dallas Divide and down to the town of Placerville. 1 Reply PandaHugger 7 yr. ago Agreed with ShootTheMoon. Too far gone to rejoice, I stumbled toward my truck in the dark. Mount Woodson is a favorite among GSG guides and plays host to an array of climbing styles but is especially well known for its cracks! Stonemasters competitions were held here in the eighties, Royal Robbins put up FFAs of various cracks in the area, and such figures as Van Belle, Amick, and a mysterious fellow by the name of Professor Keith Bruekner PhDwho wrote the only known dedicated Mount Woodson guidebook in 1987frequented the area. Any cancellation requests submitted within 5 to 10 days of a scheduled outing will be refunded the full amount less 50% of the overall booking cost to cover our losses. Many towns and cities like: Silverton, Silverplume, Silver Dale and Argentine took their name from the element that was by the late 1860s, in short supply. The History And Popularity Of Half Marathons. San Miguel was a bit too much on the quieter side and placid. The majority of the climbing on Mount Woodson lies on the east side of the mountain so in the summer months it can get fairly hot so early morning outings are recommended for this venue. Many of the cracks and technical face climbs at Mount Woodson are perfectly uniform, tall and intimidating. 77 Loooves 12 Pictures 0 Stories. The trail is 8 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 2,800 feet. I was dating a girl named Robin at the time, and I said to a group of non-climbing friends "I climbed Robbins Crack today.I climbed Robbins Crack!! The route from Lake Poway is the most popular route for a good reason. Wilson-El Diente Traverse due to rock fall. The Cottonwood Lakes are home to California's state fish, the Golden Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita). Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. (138), Climber's Log Entries After cresting this hill, park on the left (north-west) side of Highway 67 at a sign marked hiking trail. Im serious.