Google Maps: Happy Boulders

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The Happy Boulders has climbs of all shapes and sizes on friendly volcanic rock. This is a great place for newer boulderers to explore Bishop climbing!

Approach + Trail Surface: moderate-steep uphill 0.5-1.0 miles on soft sand. Trails between climbing areas are mixed terrain including low flat boulders, packed sand and soft sand.

Directions: The Happy Boulders can be accessed by two different routes out of Bishop. From Main Street (395) you can take the junction for Highway 6. Then turn left onto Five Bridges Road and continue until you reach the intersection at which you will turn left onto Chalk Bluff road. Continue down Chalk Bluff road for 2.3 miles until you reach the Happy Boulder parking. From Main Street (395) continue north out of Bishop as if you were driving to Mammoth. Turn Right onto Pleasant Valley Dam Road and continue on it until you get past the County campground. Turn right onto Chalk Bluff road and continue for about 3.6 miles until you reach the Happy Boulders parking area.

Google Maps: Buttermilks

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The Buttermilks hosts iconic boulders beneath large beautiful mountains. The rock is sharp, the landings are flat, and the boulders tend to be pretty tall. This area is best for folks with a bit more bouldering experience.

Approach + Trail Surface: mild-moderate uphill 0.25-0.5 miles on packed dirt/sand/gravel mix. Trails between boulders are packed dirt/sand/gravel mix

Directions: Turn off State Route 168 about 7 miles west of Bishop onto Buttermilk Road. There is parking available along the roadside. The Department of Water and Power land is closed to camping. Inquire at the White Mountain Ranger Station for camping information and a map. DRIVE SLOW on Buttermilk Road, it has been known to crack oil pans of low clearance speeding vehicles

Google Maps:Owens River Gorge

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The Owens River Gorge has sport climbs on volcanic tuff that shines in the 5.10 and up grades, although there are also ample options in the lower-grade ranges. The approach can be arduous and steep, and often includes river crossings. The central and upper gorge are better suited to intermediate/advanced climbers. The lower gorge has better options for newer climbers.

Approach + Trail Surface: mild-steep terrain 0.5-1.0 miles. Length and difficulty of approaches vary. Trail surfaces include: packed dirt roads, large steep gravel stairs, scrambling over large boulders on steep terrain and crossing rivers using logs as bridges.

Directions: From Bishop go North on 395 to the Paradise Swall Meadows exit and turn right. Go approximately 1/2 mile and at the T intersection turn left (Gorge Rd). There are 3 parking areas to choose depending on where in the Gorge you wish to climb. The first parking area is 3.3 miles from the intersection of Gorge road and 395. Adjacent to the parking area you will go through a gate and follow the paved central gorge power station road for 1 mile down to the Central gorge power station. The second parking area also accesses the central gorge and ends just uphill from the central gorge power station. You will find a trail adjacent to the parking area that goes down a steep 2nd/3rd class loose gully. Be careful not to dislodge anything because there are climbs below the gully. This parking area is 4.8 miles up the Gorge road from the intersection of Gorge Road and 395. The last parking area is for the upper gorge. This parking area is 6.4 miles up Gorge Road from the intersection of Gorge Road and 395. You will park off the pavement and walk through a gate down the paved upper power plant road approximately 1/2 mile then drop into a 3rd class gully. There is a trail along the entire length of the bottom of the gorge so you can use any of the access points to access all climbs at Owens.

Google Maps: Alabama Hills

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The Alabama Hills sit beneath Mount Whitney and hosts gorgeous views of the Eastern Sierra. You’ll find sport bolted granite climbing on beautiful, brown patina with minimal approaches. This area is excellent for beginner and intermediate climbers!

Approach + Trail Surface: many areas can be approached within 100ft of parking. Some areas may have longer approaches and may depend on road conditions. Trail surface is packed dirt/sand with occasional scrambling to access specific climbs.

Directions: Take Whitney Portal Road off US 395 to this area. Most of the climbing is accessed from Movie Road, which heads north from the Whitney Portal Road.