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Prospector Crags Rock Climbing
| Elevation: | 2,940 ft |
| GPS: |
48.66215, -120.53065 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
| Page Views: | 25,585 total · 440/month |
| Shared By: | skye h on Jun 3, 2018 · Updates |
| Admins: | applewood, Jon Nelson, Micah Klesick, Z Winters |
Access Issue: Camping for Climbers in Mazama
Details
From the MVC:
The Methow Valley Climbers, a chapter of the Washington Climbers Coalition, respectfully asks visiting climbers to NOT camp or sleep in your vehicles anywhere along the paved section of Lost River Road or in the Fun Rock parking lot ... Please use a blue bag when on route and take all of your trash home. We thank you for taking responsibility during your visit to help keep climbers in good relations with the local community. Welcome to the valley and safe climbing.
From the USFS:
When planning your visit to the Methow Valley, please choose an appropriate campsite and use established toilets, or pack it out in areas without toilets. The roadside pullouts below the Goat Wall and Gate Creek are NOT considered sustainable places to camp due to proximity to the Methow River and lack of toilets.
Please see the uploaded map "Camping for Climbers" for campgrounds ($8-12 per night) and low-impact FREE dispersed areas with toilets within a few miles of your favorite crag. Free sites include: Goat Creek and Yellowjacket SnoParks (April-October only), and dispersed sites west of Monument Creek Trailhead.
The Methow Valley Climbers, a chapter of the Washington Climbers Coalition, respectfully asks visiting climbers to NOT camp or sleep in your vehicles anywhere along the paved section of Lost River Road or in the Fun Rock parking lot ... Please use a blue bag when on route and take all of your trash home. We thank you for taking responsibility during your visit to help keep climbers in good relations with the local community. Welcome to the valley and safe climbing.
From the USFS:
When planning your visit to the Methow Valley, please choose an appropriate campsite and use established toilets, or pack it out in areas without toilets. The roadside pullouts below the Goat Wall and Gate Creek are NOT considered sustainable places to camp due to proximity to the Methow River and lack of toilets.
Please see the uploaded map "Camping for Climbers" for campgrounds ($8-12 per night) and low-impact FREE dispersed areas with toilets within a few miles of your favorite crag. Free sites include: Goat Creek and Yellowjacket SnoParks (April-October only), and dispersed sites west of Monument Creek Trailhead.
Description
"Featured edge climbing on mostly vertical limestone (or lime-silicate rock), many of which start from a ledge system offering a slightly exposed feel. Overall, this is a great crag consisting of many routes in the 5.10 range" Ryan Triplett
The cliffs at Prospector tends to be just less than vertical, broken by small roofs that tend to run the width of the cliffs. The rock has been described as sandstone with limestone deposits. Whatever it is, it forms sheer slabs with many square in-cut holds and blocky roofs.
Prospector is in a gorgeous setting and the views down the Methow Valley can't be beat. All of the climbing is S facing, so expect generally warmer temps than Fun Rock and less morning shade than Matrix, though it can catch a nice breeze. If the weather is deteriorating at the Mazama store, there's a good chance it's raining at Prospector.
(This description is from Z Winters.)
The cliffs at Prospector tends to be just less than vertical, broken by small roofs that tend to run the width of the cliffs. The rock has been described as sandstone with limestone deposits. Whatever it is, it forms sheer slabs with many square in-cut holds and blocky roofs.
Prospector is in a gorgeous setting and the views down the Methow Valley can't be beat. All of the climbing is S facing, so expect generally warmer temps than Fun Rock and less morning shade than Matrix, though it can catch a nice breeze. If the weather is deteriorating at the Mazama store, there's a good chance it's raining at Prospector.
(This description is from Z Winters.)
Getting There
Drive West from the Mazama General Store (Lost River Road) until the road turns to gravel. Continue on this road past the "S curves" until an obvious cliff band is seen on the right side of the road with a scree slope below. Park on the left shoulder just W of the clearing where you can see the cliff. If you travel over the single lane bridge (Robinson Creek), you have gone too far. Please drive SLOWLY, this road gets heinously washboarded.
An approach trail is marked by a cairn, and often a sign in box (please use this). The approach trail can be difficult to see, it's approximately at 48.6604, -120.5330.
Follow the trail up to the cliff, which will take you between Nugget and Recess walls. There is some loose scree here; be careful with rockfall on your climbing partners.
An approach trail is marked by a cairn, and often a sign in box (please use this). The approach trail can be difficult to see, it's approximately at 48.6604, -120.5330.
Follow the trail up to the cliff, which will take you between Nugget and Recess walls. There is some loose scree here; be careful with rockfall on your climbing partners.
Classic Climbing Routes at Prospector Crags
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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