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Washington · Rock Climbing
Colton, Washington sits in the rolling Palouse country of Whitman County, and its main draw for climbers is Granite Point — a compact granite crag that punches above its weight for a rural southeast Washington destination.
25 spotsUpdated weeklyFree to access
View on mapRock Climbing · 25 spots
Colton, Washington sits in the rolling Palouse country of Whitman County, and its main draw for climbers is Granite Point — a compact granite crag that punches above its weight for a rural southeast Washington destination. The area splits into two distinct zones: Granite Point Roped for traditional and sport routes, and Granite Point Boulders for those who prefer to stay low. The route list runs the full skill spectrum, from the approachable 5.5 Crack up to technical crack lines like Rotten Crack, Insecurity Issues Crack, and the layback-heavy Layback Crack. Face climbing shows up too, with routes like Steep Face, Face Up, and Ephemeral Arete rounding out the options for climbers who prefer edges over jams. A handful of routes — Psychosynthesis, Dreamscape, Madness Among Us — suggest the crag has enough character to keep intermediate climbers occupied across multiple visits. Buckleys Broomstick is listed specifically as a bouldering problem, so boulderers aren't just limited to the Granite Point Boulders zone. With 25 active listings across roped climbing and bouldering, Colton is a legitimate local crag worth the drive from Pullman or Moscow, Idaho, especially if you're looking for granite in a region better known for basalt.
The crag covers a real range. The 5.5 Crack is a genuine beginner option on a roped wall, while crack climbs like Rotten Crack, Insecurity Issues Crack, and Insecurity Issues 2: The Electric Boogaloo will challenge climbers still building crack technique. Routes like Psychosynthesis, Dreamscape, and Madness Among Us sit in the intermediate-to-advanced range based on their listing context. There's enough variety that a group with mixed abilities can find something for everyone in the same session.
It functions as all three. Granite Point Roped hosts the lead climbing routes, which include crack lines that typically require gear placements — names like Rotten Crack, Layback Crack, and Insecurity Issues Crack point toward trad-style climbing. Granite Point Boulders is a separate zone for unroped problems, and Buckleys Broomstick is also listed as a standalone bouldering route. Bring a trad rack if crack climbing is your goal.
Ballscratcher
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Washington.
Granite Point Roped
~0 min drive
Washington granite crag with crack and face climbing for varied skill levels.
Buckleys Broomstick
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Washington.
Insecurity Issues
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Washington.
Granite Point Boulders
~0 min drive
Washington granite bouldering with varied problems for all levels.
Ice Bear Will Send
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Washington.
Steroids to heaven
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Washington.
Weenie Hut Jr's
~0 min drive
Accessible Washington climbing area with varied routes for developing climbers.
Monkey Slap
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Washington.
Hand Over Hand
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Washington.
Salty Spitoon
~0 min drive
Waterside Washington crag with varied climbing and scenic views.
Head Games
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Washington.
Rock climbing
Colton, Washington
Rock climbing
Colton, Washington
Rock climbing
Colton, Washington
Rock climbing
Colton, Washington
Rock climbing
Colton, Washington
Rock climbing
Colton, Washington
Rock climbing
Colton, Washington
Rock climbing
Colton, Washington
Rock climbing
Colton, Washington
Rock climbing
Colton, Washington
Rock climbing
Colton, Washington
Rock climbing
Colton, Washington
Rock climbing
Colton, Washington
Rock climbing
Colton, Washington
Rock climbing
Colton, Washington
Rock climbing
Colton, Washington
Rock climbing
Colton, Washington
Rock climbing
Colton, Washington
Rock climbing
Colton, Washington
Rock climbing
Colton, Washington
Granite Point's southeast Washington location means spring and fall are generally the most comfortable seasons — summers in the Palouse can get hot and dry, which affects granite friction. Spring conditions depend on snowmelt and whether access roads are clear. Winter climbing is possible on mild days but the area can see ice and snow. Early morning starts in summer help beat the heat on south-facing granite.
For the roped routes, a standard trad rack is advisable given the number of crack lines on the wall — Layback Crack, Rotten Crack, and the Insecurity Issues routes all suggest gear placements rather than fixed bolts, though you should verify fixed protection on individual routes before you go. Bouldering at Granite Point Boulders and on problems like Buckleys Broomstick just requires a pad and shoes. A helmet is worth bringing regardless of which zone you're climbing in.
Colton is roughly 20 miles south of Pullman on Highway 195, making it an easy day trip from either Pullman, WA or Moscow, ID. The specific road to Granite Point from Colton itself is a short drive on local roads — check a current guidebook or Mountain Project for the exact turnoff, since rural access roads in the Palouse can be unmarked. Parking is informal and the approach is short.
