Idaho · Rock climbing · McCall

The Thinking Spot

Thinking Spot, The in Idaho has 21 climbing routes across 11 grades.

21 routes
5.7 – 5.12-
Sport · Trad

Best time to visit The Thinking Spot

Best months: June–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

  1. Jan

    31° / 13°

    15 wet

  2. Feb

    35° / 15°

    13 wet

  3. Mar

    42° / 21°

    16 wet

  4. Apr

    50° / 28°

    13 wet

  5. May

    61° / 36°

    13 wet

  6. Jun

    69° / 42°

    10 wet

  7. Jul

    81° / 47°

    4 wet

  8. Aug

    81° / 45°

    4 wet

  9. Sep

    71° / 38°

    6 wet

  10. Oct

    56° / 29°

    9 wet

  11. Nov

    40° / 21°

    13 wet

  12. Dec

    30° / 14°

    15 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mccall Ap, ID, 8.2 mi away at 5,013 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

The Thinking Spot is a climbing area in Ponderosa State Park in Idaho, managed by State Park and Recreation. It sits within the park's state park land, and the closest town is McCall, about 8 miles away. The area has 23 routes, with 17 sport routes and 6 trad routes. The YDS grades run from 5.7 to 5.12-, with a median of 5.10. Among the named routes are "Beginner 2" at 5.7, "The Thinker" at 5.11, and "Rodin's Belly Button" at 5.12-. Summer is the most comfortable time to climb. Typical averages from the nearby McCall airport weather station show July and August highs around 81°F with only about four wet days a month, while winter highs stay near freezing. Spring Board Trail is just 0.3 miles away, and the McCall Area climbing area is about 5 miles off. Paddlers can reach the North Fork Payette River at roughly 5 miles, and Last Chance campground is about 6.5 miles away.