Illinois · Rock climbing · Simpson · Near Goreville

Yosemite Slab

21 routes
V0 – V11
Bouldering
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Yosemite Slab open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Yosemite Slab, 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.

Yosemite Slab is a bouldering area in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with Lovely Tower, Spleef Peak and The Gallery all about 0.1 mile away, and the Middle Falls hike just as close. The area is a boulderer's playground, with 21 bouldering routes on the slab. The grades range from V0 to V11, with the median around V6-. Some of the named routes include Yosemite Slab at V0, Cold Fusion at V3, Sling Blade at V5, Pinball at V6 and Praying Mantel at V8. Pulling the Wool, the hardest route at V11, was first climbed by Jason Kehl. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dixon Springs show May highs around 77°F and October highs around 71°F, while July and August average in the upper 80s. Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs is about 1.9 miles away, and North Bluff is about 0.4 mile off. For a change of pace, the Lusk Creek paddling route is roughly 7.6 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Primitive Campsite Jackson Falls

    Campground

    Campground · 0.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Subway

    Fast food

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Water Fall

    Attraction

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Yosemite Slab

    Best months: March–June 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

      43° / 25°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      49° / 29°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      59° / 37°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      70° / 46°

      10 wet

    5. May

      77° / 56°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      85° / 63°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 66°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 65°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 57°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      71° / 46°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      57° / 37°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      46° / 29°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dixon Springs Agric Ctr, IL, 4.7 mi away at 527 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (21)

Yosemite SlabV0Toss Your Shoes UpV0+Ghetto LifeV1Pulling the WoolFA: Jason KehlV11At Large (right var.)V3Cold FusionV3Girlier ProblemV3No Rest for the WearyFA: Matt StolzeV3BagpiperFA: Matt BlissV5Sling BladeFA: Patrick KochV5O.B.D.V6PinballV6WolverineV6Berlier ProblemV6-HypoglycemiaV6-David and GoliathV7Body KarateV8Praying MantelV8Zig ZagV8Footweiser, The King of SmearsV9Young Thugz Post-BreakV9-10