Oregon · Rock climbing · Terrebonne · Near Sisters

(4) Big Ben Tower

(4) Big Ben TowerPhoto: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
12 routes
5.10c – 5.13
Sport · Trad
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Big Ben Tower is a climbing area in Smith Rock State Park in Oregon, on city-managed land. It sits among a cluster of other climbing spots and trails, with Victoria Tower, Puddy's Tower and the Alex Reed Memorial Wall all about 0.1 mile away. The climbing here is sport and trad, with 12 routes in total. The grades run from 5.10c up to 5.13, and the median is 5.12a. Sport routes dominate, with nine of the 12. Among them are Good Dobby at 5.10c and Eat Your Leberkase at 5.12b. The Diamond in the Tuff project is listed at 5.13, though it is marked closed. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Redmond show May highs around 69°F and September highs around 79°F, while July and August average in the upper 80s. Wolf Tree Trail and Summit Trail are both within half a mile. Skull Hollow campground is about 4 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Smith Rock Bivouac Area

    Campground

    Campground · 1.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Terrebone Depot Food & Drink

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Sisters
  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit (4) Big Ben Tower

    Best months: May–June and September–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

      44° / 25°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      48° / 25°

      7 wet

    3. Mar

      55° / 28°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      60° / 31°

      8 wet

    5. May

      69° / 38°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      77° / 43°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 48°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 47°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 41°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      65° / 33°

      6 wet

    11. Nov

      51° / 28°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      42° / 23°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Redmond Roberts Fld, OR, 8.3 mi away at 3,043 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (12)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

(5) Little Three Finger Jack AKA The Alex Reed Memorial WallPhoto: Bonnie Moreland from Oregon, United States, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

(5) Little Three Finger Jack AKA The Alex Reed Memorial Wall

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(6) Puddy's TowerPhoto: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

(6) Puddy's Tower

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Cornerstone ButtressPhoto: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Cornerstone Buttress

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The Hank Collins Memorial WallPhoto: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Hank Collins Memorial Wall

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(v) Monument AreaPhoto: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Left SidePhoto: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Left Side

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(t) Kiss of the Lepers ButtressPhoto: Jordan Beard, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

(t) Kiss of the Lepers Buttress

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Red Wall BouldersPhoto: Jordan Beard, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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(vv)Staender RidgePhoto: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Reproductive WallPhoto: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Reproductive Wall

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