Washington · Rock climbing · Carson

Columbia Gorge

Columbia Gorge in Washington has 8 climbing routes across 8 grades, offering bouldering, sport, and trad.

8 routes
5.6 – 5.9
Trad · Bouldering · Sport

Best time to visit Columbia Gorge

Best months: June–September. 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

    45° / 34°

    21 wet

  2. Feb

    49° / 35°

    18 wet

  3. Mar

    53° / 37°

    21 wet

  4. Apr

    59° / 40°

    19 wet

  5. May

    68° / 46°

    15 wet

  6. Jun

    73° / 50°

    11 wet

  7. Jul

    81° / 54°

    5 wet

  8. Aug

    82° / 54°

    4 wet

  9. Sep

    75° / 51°

    9 wet

  10. Oct

    62° / 45°

    15 wet

  11. Nov

    51° / 39°

    20 wet

  12. Dec

    44° / 34°

    21 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cougar 6 E, WA, 1.6 mi away at 659 ft. The station sits about 1,400 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

The Columbia Gorge climbing area in Washington is a compact, well-rounded destination for climbers, with eight routes spread across trad, boulder and sport styles. The State Department of Natural Resources manages the land, and the area sits close to several other outdoor spots, making it easy to pair a day on the rock with a hike or a paddle. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 81 to 82°F with only four or five wet days a month, while winter brings highs in the mid-40s and rain on about 21 days a month. That station sits roughly 1,400 feet below the gorge, so temperatures up high run cooler. The routes here range from 5.6 to 5.9 on the YDS scale, with a few bouldering options in the V0 to V3 range. Ben's Route and Ablation Zone are two of the trad routes, and Terminal Traverse is the sport option. The Sugarloaf Trail and Mt. Mitchell Trail are both within a mile, and paddlers can head to Ole Creek or North Siouxon Creek, each about 2 to 3 miles away.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive