Washington · Rock climbing · Stevenson

Lower (Main) Area

Lower (Main) Area is a Washington climbing crag with 14 routes.

14 routes
V1 – V8-9
Bouldering

Is Lower (Main) Area open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

As of · Source: USFS · Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Lower (Main) Area

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

    43° / 34°

    21 wet · 2 snow

  2. Feb

    47° / 36°

    18 wet · 1 snow

  3. Mar

    53° / 38°

    20 wet

  4. Apr

    59° / 42°

    18 wet

  5. May

    67° / 48°

    15 wet

  6. Jun

    72° / 52°

    11 wet

  7. Jul

    79° / 57°

    5 wet

  8. Aug

    80° / 57°

    4 wet

  9. Sep

    74° / 53°

    8 wet

  10. Oct

    62° / 47°

    15 wet

  11. Nov

    50° / 40°

    20 wet

  12. Dec

    42° / 35°

    22 wet · 1 snow

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bonneville Dam, OR, 4 mi away at 62 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Lower (Main) Area is a bouldering crag in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Washington, managed by the Forest Service. It sits right next to the Upper Bowl climbing area, about a tenth of a mile away, and the Equestrian Trail passes within a quarter mile, making it easy to link with a short walk or ride. The area holds 14 bouldering routes, all rated from V1 up to V8-9. The easiest are Frosty Flake and Shark Tank Boulder, while El Compadre is the hardest. The boulders sit within a cluster of climbing and hiking spots. The West Hardy Ridge Trail starts about half a mile off, and the Northwest Face lies across the river in Oregon, roughly a mile away. Summer is the driest and mildest time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Bonneville Dam show July and August highs around 80°F with only four or five wet days a month, while winter brings highs in the low 40s and rain on most days. That station sits about 840 feet lower than the crag, so temperatures up high run cooler. Paddlers can head to Hamilton Creek, about 3 miles away, and Eagle Creek Overlook offers camping about 5 miles off.

Routes (14)

Salmon Cakes Boulder(1)

Salmon CakesV5

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