Climb at Mad River Gorge

Just a short hike down from the parking lot lies a half mile of cliffside full of climbing opportunities! Plenty of variety for different skill levels, although someone in your group will need to lead climb to set up the route first. There are hooks already in place on each route, and you are not allowed to drill and add more. Top rope climbing is also not allowed here.

When we came, the parking lot was 3/4 full but there were plenty of routes still open. You can also hike the wide trail along the river, but it only goes about a half mile before dead-ending. The plan is to build a pedestrian bridge and triple the size of the preserve available to the public, but that is contingent on a grant request that is currently in progress.

There is a volunteering opportunity here as well! This area used to be pretty rough, with trash and broken glass all over. Now, although mostly cleaned up and pretty, there is still opportunity to make it better. Buckets are provided at the trailhead before you go down the stairs, and you can take one down with you while you hike or set up for climbing and put any trash you see in it, emptying it at the top when you return the bucket.