Pennsylvania · Rock climbing · Pittsburgh

The Bridge Pillar

18 routes
5.9 – 5.11c
Bouldering · Sport
Jun–Oct
best months

The Bridge Pillar is a climbing area in Pennsylvania, about a mile from the town of Oakland. It sits among a cluster of hiking trails, so it works well as a stop for climbers who also want to stretch their legs on foot. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 72°F and September highs around 76°F, with September also seeing the fewest wet days of the year. Several trails start within a mile, including the Steve Faloon Trail, Oval Trail and Bridle Trail. For more climbing, the Pittsburgh climbing area is about 3 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit The Bridge Pillar

    Best months: June–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

      38° / 22°

      14 wet

    2. Feb

      40° / 22°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      50° / 29°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      62° / 40°

      13 wet

    5. May

      72° / 51°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      80° / 59°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 64°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 63°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 56°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      65° / 44°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      53° / 35°

      12 wet

    12. Dec

      42° / 28°

      14 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Braddock Lock 2, PA, 5.6 mi away at 730 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (18)

Stop Watching Television5.10aShoulder ShrugFA: Dj Wilmot (TR), then Jace Odhner (Lead, Nov 2016)5.10a/bDreams Killed from Watching TelevisionFA: TR: Eugenel Espiritu5.10cFriction Fun5.10cDon’t Fret the AretéFA: Jace Odhner (Nov 2016)5.10dRaiders of the Lost BoltsFA: Hwa Han (TR), Eugenel Espiritu (Lead, Apr 2020)5.10dDon't Fret Over Lost DreamsFA: Eugenel Espiritu (Apr 2020)5.11bThrow Away Your Keys5.11cNever Enough Chalk5.9East End CrashV-easyTo the TopV-easyStale IsolationFA: Eugenel Espiritu, May 2020V0Is A TruthFA: Dj Wilmot, Dec 2015V1Rail Blazzin'FA: Fine HanV1Rock HugFA: Dj Wilmot, Dec 2015V2-Dreams Killed by COVID-19FA: Eugenel Espiritu, Mar 2020V3Social DistancingFA: Eugenel EspirituV3Pandemic LiabilityFA: Eugenel Espiritu, May 2020V3-4

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Hidden in Plain SightPhoto: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Hidden in Plain Sight

~1h 4m drive

Hidden in Plain Sight is a bouldering area in Pennsylvania with 6 routes.

Island BlockPhoto: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Island Block

~1h 5m drive

Island Block in Pennsylvania has 16 climbing routes with 13 difficulty grades, featuring bouldering pads, top-rope, and trad.

Rappel RockPhoto: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Rappel Rock

~1h 5m drive

Rappel Rock in Pennsylvania has 6 climbing routes with bouldering and top-rope options.

CLIMB

Pittsburgh

~5 min drive

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania climbing area with 2 routes.

CLIMB

Seldom Seen

~7 min drive

Seldom Seen in Pennsylvania has 7 climbing routes across 4 grades.

CLIMB

Harrison Hills Park

~34 min drive

Harrison Hills Park in Pennsylvania has 1 climbing route.

CLIMB

Caryn's Boulder

~34 min drive

Caryn's Boulder in Pennsylvania has 9 bouldering routes with 5 difficulty grades.

CLIMB

Creek Hills (Game Lands 296)

~43 min drive

Wooded Pennsylvania crag with moderate climbing on natural rock.

CLIMB

Tower Road Parking Area

~44 min drive

Convenient Pennsylvania climbing area near Tower Road with moderate routes.

CLIMB

Babs Boulder

~45 min drive

Babs Boulder in Pennsylvania has 6 bouldering routes across 5 grades.