Pennsylvania · Rock climbing · Henry Clay Township · Near Uniontown

Proving Grounds

25 routes
V0 – V10
Bouldering
Sep–Oct
best months

Proving Grounds is a bouldering area in Pennsylvania, about 2 miles from the town of Bidwell. It sits among several other climbing spots in the state, and it draws climbers with a range of boulder problems of all grades. The area has 25 boulder routes, and the grades run from V0 up to V10. V4 is the median, so climbers of all levels can find something here. The routes are named as circuits, so they work well as a series of climbs rather than as single ascents. The Hamster Wheel (Circuit) is a V0 boulder, and Astral Travelin' is a V8. Wide Awake Nightmare is the hardest at V10. 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. That station sits roughly 1,100 feet lower than the area, so temperatures here run cooler. Several other climbing areas lie within a few miles, including Main Area, South Side and Ohiopyle State Park, each about 4 miles away. The McCune Trail and the Sugarloaf XC Trail - Hyatt Connector are both under a mile off.

Around this trail

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

    Paddler's Lane Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 2.3 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Paddler's Pizza

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 5 mi · Open after 6
  • If it rainsVictoria Stauffenberg, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

    Mt. Washington Tavern

    Museum

    On your way back · 9 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Victoria Stauffenberg, Public domain (commons)

More in Uniontown
  • Best time to go · Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Proving Grounds

    Best months: 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

      37° / 19°

      17 wet · 10 snow

    2. Feb

      41° / 20°

      15 wet · 9 snow

    3. Mar

      50° / 27°

      15 wet · 5 snow

    4. Apr

      63° / 36°

      15 wet · 1 snow

    5. May

      72° / 47°

      16 wet

    6. Jun

      80° / 56°

      14 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 60°

      14 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 59°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 52°

      12 wet

    10. Oct

      64° / 40°

      12 wet

    11. Nov

      52° / 30°

      13 wet · 2 snow

    12. Dec

      41° / 24°

      16 wet · 7 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Confluence 1 Sw Dam, PA, 3.6 mi away at 1,490 ft. The station sits about 1,100 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (25)

Underling TraverseFA: Some hamsterV-easyHamster Wheel (Circuit)FA: Hamster McHamstersonV0Splitter AreteV0V0 slabsV0Fist CrackV1Jacey CakesFA: Aloysius Leap and Finley ConwayV1Wide Awake NightmareFA: Sam Weir, 2014?V10DownclimbV2SlabV2V2 Kid problemV2Ciabatta Bing!FA: Aloysius Leap and FinleyV3Dangerous WatersV3Hands OffV3Aw Heck NoV4Pit VipefourV4Ulf SamuelssenV4Way Down in a HoleV4-VladV4-5Founding FathersV5The WakeV5Astral Travelin'FA: Brady, Leap, Plesser December 2021V8Finders KeepersFA: Pete Baertsch (2014)V8-9PridelandsFA: Joel Brady, 2014?V9SomnambulistFA: Brady, December 2021V9Thumbder PressureFA: Chaz Ott, 2019?V9