Illinois · Rock climbing · Pomona · Near Goreville

Pomona Bottoms / potential

Pomona Bottoms / potentialPhoto: Mrostrichman, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
8 routes
V0 – V4+
Bouldering
Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Pomona Bottoms / potential open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Pomona Bottoms / potential, 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.

Pomona Bottoms is a bouldering area in the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with Shawnee Solitaire just 0.2 miles away and Moon Rock and Main Amphitheater about 2 miles off. The area is a bouldering destination, with eight routes all rated on the V scale. The easiest is Sunshine Daydream at V0, and the hardest is Althea at V4+. The routes are boulders, and the grade range runs from V0 to V4+. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Carbondale show October highs around 70°F with lows near 45°F, and May highs around 77°F. Summer is hotter, with July highs near 88°F. Climbers can pair a day at Pomona Bottoms with a hike on Cedar Lake Trail or Cove Hollow, both about 2 miles away. For an overnight stay, Pine Hills Campground is roughly 10 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Turkey Bayou

    Campground

    Campground · 4.8 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Havisham Bourbon Bar

    Bar

    On your way back · 5 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Pomona Bottoms / potential

    Best months: March–April 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

      42° / 25°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      47° / 28°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      57° / 36°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      68° / 45°

      12 wet

    5. May

      77° / 55°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      86° / 64°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 67°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 65°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      81° / 56°

      11 wet

    10. Oct

      70° / 45°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      56° / 35°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      46° / 28°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Carbondale Southern Il Ap, IL, 10.6 mi away at 406 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (8)