Name of area: Elgin Rockwall
Where:4.5 miles north of Elgin, OR
How do I get there from Walla Walla?:Head south on Hwy. 11 toward Pendleton. Turn east onto Hwy. 204 toward Tollgate. Just as you are leaving the Blue Mountains and entering Elgin, turn left on Valley View Rd. Drive 2.8 miles on Valley View and turn right onto gravel road. After 0.4 mile on gravel road turn left onto Darr Rd. After 1.3 miles park on left side of road at a wide spot with 10 ft. high bouldery roadcut on right. Scramble up the roadcut, cross the fence and hike east for 0.5 mile staying north (left) of pond.
How long of a drive is it? 1.25 hours
What's there?:Very steep south-facing cliff of andesite, 50-150 ft. high and 0.25 mile long. Similar in many ways to Spring Mountain but steeper and much less featured. There are some bolts and a few sets of chain anchors but the area is primarily suited to steep and difficult (5.10+) crack climbing and aid practice. The rock along the cliff edge is very platy and fractured making it difficult to set anchors for top ropes. Deep cracks near the base of the cliff hold ice into mid-summer.
Land Ownership: Boise Cascade
Pros: Good rock, uncrowded, close to Walla Walla.
Cons: Few (if any) routes or potential routes under 5.10. Limited face climbing.
Comments: There are some spectacular lines here but don't bother to visit unless you can climb sustained 5.10-5.11 cracks. Access might be touchy so keep a low profile.