Illinois · Rock climbing · Alto Pass · Near Goreville

Alto Pass

11 routes
5.7+ – 5.11
Sport · Top Rope · Trad
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Alto Pass open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Alto Pass, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Shawnee National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Alto Pass is a climbing area in the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, about 7.5 miles from the weather station at Anna. It sits among several other climbing spots, with A: Quetil Trail Bluff and Railroad Boulder both about 0.1 mile away, and the Quetil Trail hike about 0.3 mile off. The area has 11 routes, with sport climbing the most common style. Grades run from about 5.7+ to 5.11, and the bouldering at F: Bouldering is also close by. Among the named routes, Mr. Frosty is a 5.7+ sport climb, and Von Jakob is a 5.11 sport climb. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Anna station show October highs around 73°F with lows near 48°F, and April highs around 71°F. July is the hottest month, with highs near 90°F. Nearby options include the Quetil Trail, Little Cedar Lake about 2 miles away, Clear Creek for paddling about 4 miles out, and Pine Hills Campground about 7 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Trail of Tears Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 6.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Havisham Bourbon Bar

    Bar

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rains

    Cobden Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 4 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Goreville
  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Alto Pass

    Best months: March–May and September–November. 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

      45° / 25°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      50° / 29°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      61° / 37°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      71° / 46°

      11 wet

    5. May

      79° / 56°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      87° / 65°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      90° / 69°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      89° / 67°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 59°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      73° / 48°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      59° / 37°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      48° / 30°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Anna 2 Nne, IL, 7.5 mi away at 640 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (11)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Pomona Bottoms / potentialPhoto: Mrostrichman, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Pomona Bottoms / potential

~9 min drive

Pomona Bottoms / potential in Illinois has 8 climbing routes on 6 difficulty grades.

Shawnee SolitairePhoto: Mrostrichman, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Shawnee Solitaire

~9 min drive

Shawnee Solitaire in Illinois has 6 bouldering routes across 5 grades.

A: Gill RoofPhoto: Kbh3rd, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

A: Gill Roof

~12 min drive

19-route climbing area in Illinois with bouldering, sport, and trad options.

C: Amphitheater BouldersPhoto: Kbh3rd, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

C: Amphitheater Boulders

~12 min drive

7 bouldering routes with pads in Illinois.

Devils Standtable AreaPhoto: Kbh3rd, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Devils Standtable Area

~12 min drive

Devils Standtable Area is a climbing crag in Illinois with 2 routes.

CLIMB

A: Quetil Trail Bluff

Next door

A: Quetil Trail Bluff in Illinois has 12 climbing routes across 8 grades, offering sport and trad options.

CLIMB

Railroad Boulder

Next door

Railroad Boulder in Illinois has 7 bouldering routes across 6 grades.

CLIMB

F: Bouldering

Next door

5 bouldering routes in Illinois, 3 difficulty grades.

CLIMB

Cove Hollow

~8 min drive

Cove Hollow in Illinois has 3 climbing routes with bouldering and sport options.

CLIMB

Moon Rock

~9 min drive

Moon Rock in Illinois has 5 climbing routes ranging across 4 difficulty grades.