Iowa · Rock climbing · Maquoketa

Freshman Boulder

9 routes
V0 – V5
Bouldering
Apr–Oct
best months

Freshman Boulder is a bouldering area in Joinerville Park in Iowa, on county land. It sits among a cluster of other bouldering spots, including Alcove boulder, Project boulder and Joinerville (bouldering only), all within about a tenth of a mile. The climbing here is all bouldering, with nine routes ranging from V0 to V5. The easiest is Field Trips and Drop Outs at V0, and the hardest is Final Exam at V5. Tuition Hike is a V1, and All nighter is a V3. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Maquoketa show May highs around 70°F and September highs around 75°F, with July the warmest month at about 82°F. Walnut Trail and Brookfield Recreation Trail are both within about 8 miles for a walk after a session on the rocks.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Freshman Boulder

    Best months: April–October. 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

      27° / 11°

      8 wet · 6 snow

    2. Feb

      31° / 15°

      7 wet · 5 snow

    3. Mar

      45° / 26°

      9 wet · 3 snow

    4. Apr

      59° / 37°

      11 wet · 1 snow

    5. May

      70° / 49°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      79° / 60°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      82° / 63°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 61°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 52°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 40°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      46° / 28°

      8 wet · 2 snow

    12. Dec

      32° / 18°

      8 wet · 5 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Maquoketa, IA, 4.5 mi away at 668 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (9)

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E: Twin SistersPhoto: Eric Schmuttenmaer from Downers Grove, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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D: Open BiblePhoto: Eric Schmuttenmaer from Downers Grove, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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C: Sun ButtressPhoto: Eric Schmuttenmaer from Downers Grove, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

C: Sun Buttress

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