The Best Summer Climbing Areas in the USA
Bouldering and Climbing Away From the Heat

Want to know about the best summer climbing areas in the USA? We've got them right here.

OK, it's hot. It's just plain hot, and even though you may be able to climb indoors, sometimes nothing satisfies like real rock. Let's try to sort out a few of the best places to seek out real rock that wont scorch you in North America.

Northeast

Cannon Cliff, New Hampshire... At 4,100 feet elevation, Cannon Cliff is high in the mountains, as Northeast standards of high go. Rocky Mountain States climbers might chuckle at that idea, but going climbing at Cannon Cliff can be a serious undertaking at any time of year. Storms can roll in and the weather can change fast. In spite of that, climbing at Cannon Cliff is a great outing and has one of the only places in the Northeast where a person can actually do Yosemite style climbing. The east facing Cannon Cliff rises approximately 1000 feet from its base. It's slightly off vertical and offers a lot of relatively easy routes. If you want to get up on long 5.7 to 5.10 routes, you'll find plenty to do here and there is a sprinkling of climbing up to 5.13A as well.
Even though the east facing exposure can make for some hot mornings, you're not likely to melt the way you would at the Gunks in New York.

Directions: All roads lead to Interstate 93. I-93 runs through Franconia Notch. Cannon is on the west side of the road.
The parking area is on the north end of the cliff and you must approach the lot from the southbound side of 93. If you are coming from the south, drive past the parking and turn around at the Tramway exit.

More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannon_Mountain_%28New_Hampshire%29  

Southeast

Foster Falls, Tennessee is not only a destination for any sport climber who lives in the South, it will draw virtually any climber thanks to the waterfall and the opportunity to swim at any time. Yes, Foster Falls can be a humid place and on the hottest days it might be a bit too much. But for the most part, you can have a great time climbing there all summer long and be able to cool off and recuperate for more climbing late in the day.
Beginners will have enough to do on routes starting at 5.5 and hard core steep geeks can tear it up on massive overhangs. Sport climbing is the rule here and all you have to bring is a rack of quick draws, a rope, harness and that chalk bag. That's it! For those who do want to climb some of the traditional routes, you'll be able to find some things to keep you busy.
Foster Falls is close to the town of Jasper, west of Chattanooga.

Directions:
From Chattanooga, head west on I-24 past Nickajack Lake and get off at exit 155 (about 20 miles). Head north following the signs to the town of Jasper. Passing through the town, follow the signs for TN150/US41 north toward Tracy City. A landmark (at least for now, since its out of business) is the Mountain Mart on the left as you continue on TN150. The entrance to Foster Falls is on the left about three miles past the Mountain Mart.

More info: http://www.southeastclimbing.com/climbing_areas/tennessee/foster_falls.htm

Western States

Fremont Canyon, Wyoming. A narrow canyon at 5,500 foot elevation, with walls that face in multiple directions making it possible to chase the shade all day long. Multi-pitch, traditionally protected climbs in a remote location make Fremont Canyon climbing memorable for virtually anyone. At the end of the day just go to the water that runs through the canyon, and start swimming. Climbs are primarily up to 5.11.

Directions: From Casper,take Hwy 220 southwest about 30 miles to the Alcova exit. Exit left (south)and go about 7 miles to a fork in the road. Bear right at the fork. In three more miles you get to the bridge over the canyon and a viewpoint/picnic area.

More info: www.fremontcanyon.com


Rocky Mountain national Park, Colorado. At RMNP, you'll find some of the hardest Bouldering in North America as well as the highest elevation big wall climbing. Rocky Mountain national Park is seeing more and more traffic for rockclimbing than it ever has. There's a lot to recommend here and you can find cool temperatures in remote locations to please any taste. The park can be a serious place to climb. Thunderstorms, high winds and golf ball sized hail can roll in almost instantaneously. Be prepared for anything including some amazing climbing. If you're feeling a little less committed until you get accustomed to the high altitude, try Estes Park, the town at the base of the park. You'll still be at a high elevation that's cool during the summer. Estes has hundreds of excellent granite climbs on faces and cracks. There's something for everyone there.

Since it is a national Park, you should check ahead of time with the Park service to ensure that there are adequate camping spots if you want to camp inside the park. Otherwise you can camp in the Estes area and drive in on a day or season pass.

Directions: Take US 36 north to Lyons. From Lyons follow Highway 36 to Estes Park. In Estes take Highway 7 south to get to the Longs Peak trailhead, or head directly into the park [US 36 and then left on the Bear Lake Rd] to get to the Glacier Gorge area and the Bear Lake area.

More info: http://www.totalclimbing.com/page.php?pname=about/rmnp

Backcountry permits: (970) 586 1242. The general information: (970) 586 1206.


Mt. Charleston, Nevada. If you haven't heard about Mt. Charleston before you may be turned off by the idea of going to Las Vegas to climb in the middle of the summer. The inside of a casino is not the only place to cool down near Las Vegas. Add an elevation of 8000 feet and Mt. Charleston can easily be 25 to 30° cooler then down in sin city. If you're taking a road trip to or from California, Charleston is definitely the place to stop for some intense steep sport climbing. Mt. Charleston is undoubtedly one of the most controversial climbing areas in North America. In the 1990s when sport climbing was really getting rolling, chipping and hold manufacturing was a wholesale commodity at Charleston. If that doesn't bother you, then you can enjoy a high concentration of bolted sport climbing on easy slabs to steep limestone cave climbing.

Directions: Mt. Charleston is located forty minutes north of Las Vegas in the Toiyabe National Forest. Take Hwy 95 north out of Vegas. Shortly after the houses stop, you will see a sign directing you to turn left for Kyle Canyon Rd. (157). Head up this road for several miles until you reach the area you're looking for. Most of the climbing is past the turnoff for Lee Canyon via the Deer Creek Hwy (158).

More info: http://www.reviewjournal.com/recreation/parks/camping_mtcharleston.html

West Coast

Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park, California. When the heat gets to be too much in the Valley, Yosemite climbers head up to Tuolumne Meadows. Almost everyone instantly falls in love with the granite domes, crystal-clear lakes, pine forests and cool temperatures of one of the most relaxing places imaginable. Long knobby walls of water polished granite make for endless pitches of balancy face climbing. For boulderers, "The Gunks" bouldering area provides a satisfying work out on mildly overhanging problems. Tuolumne Meadows is one of the rare areas in all of North America that every climber enjoys being at. There's almost nothing not to like about it.

Directions: 
From Reno & Lake Tahoe
Distance: 218 mi / 351 km (Reno)
Take US 395 south to Lee Vining; take Highway 120 west into Yosemite National Park (open late May/June through October, depending on conditions).

From Los Angeles
Distance: 313 mi / 504 km
Time: 6 hours
Take I-5 north (or I-405 north to I-5) to Highway 99 north to Highway 41 north (Fresno) into Yosemite National Park.

More info: http://www.tuolumnemeadows.org/

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