Name of area:South Fork Clearwater (Lightning Dome)
photo (Lightning Dome)
photo (Huddleson Bluff)
Where: Between Grangeville and Elk City, ID
How do I get there from Walla Walla?:Take Hwy. 12 towards Lewiston. Stay on 12 past Lewiston and turn south on Hwy. 95 at Spalding. Exit Hwy. 95 at Grangeville onto Hwy. 13. On the east side of town, turn right near a mini-mart and head down into the canyon on the Mount Idaho Grade Rd. Turn right on Hwy. 14 at the bottom of the canyon and head upstream along the South Fork Clearwater River for 15 miles or so until you see a huge granite butress on your left (Lightning Dome) and on your right (Huddleson Bluff). Large outcrops of granite continue for several miles above this point.
How long of a drive is it? 3.5-4 hours
What's there?:A vast amount of excellent granite. The granite contains few continuous crack sytems and bolting has been minimal so there are presently few established routes (although enough for several days). John Crock at the Hyperspud climbing shop in Moscow maintains a guidebook of sorts
Land Ownership: Nez Perce National Forest
Pros:Superb rock, nice location, great potential, uncrowded.
Cons: Underdeveloped, no published guide, short seasons (spring and fall), long drive. Hot in summer, cold in winter.
Comments: This is a really beautiful area with incredible potential. The camping is fantastic and so are the opportunities for mtn. biking, hiking, kayaking, rafting, and fishing.