Camping near steamboat rock state park is easy with hipcamp, where private landowners offer oneofakind camping experiences. You can also choose from activities like skiing, ice climbing, horse riding, and more. Highway rock aka roadside rock click on routes to subscribe to a rss feed of all new routes added to this. It is done recreationally, competitively, in trades that rely on it, and in emergency rescue and military operations. We accommodate singles, couples and larger parties with advanced reservations. Kj watersports offers the most affordable premium boat rentals on lake coeur dalene. On the january 14th weekend, len, silas and i decided to go climbing out in the banks lake area.
There are some really great trad and sport routes on highway rock, and the deep water soloing is epic. Html guide warning guide view may take some time to load for areas with large numbers of routes instant pdf generic precreated pdf for banks lake there are too few routes to preprepare an instant pdf. Brooks, a climbers guide to washington rock for the mountaineers books. The grand coulee is basalt cliff lined depression in north central washington. Three campground areas and a large dayuse area are protected from winds by tall poplars. Finalist in the 2015 banff mountain book competition. The book provides details of the best climbs in the lake district. Banks lake topo map, grant county wa steamboat rock sw area. Which book for which crag identifies most of the common rock climbing. In six years i had climbed nearly all of the frozen drips i had dreamed possible. Banks lake, washington community and visitors guide. Aug 30, 2010 camp at the overflow area on the lake just past highway rock.
If youre new to climbing literature, start with these 33 definitive tales of adventure. Incorrect book the list contains an incorrect book please specify the title of the book. Call 2295690147 for information on hours of operation, canoekayak rentals, etc. Only 2 hours west of spokane, near grand coulee, lies banks lake. Most of the routes are onepitch but there are some multipitch routes and one fivepitch climb. Within the seemingly endless slab walls of granite rising out of the water are sections of steeper rock. The topos are ok, and the directions to the crags ok.
Steamboat rock state park is a 3,522acre camping park with 50,000 feet of freshwater shoreline at the north end of banks lake. Rock climbing routes in highway rock aka roadside rock. This is a hilarious, quirky, and informative book about the history of rock climbing told by john long. Pick up this book if youre looking for a tale about the coming of age of a young climber in the 70s and 80s. The season is usually short, but on occasion the great climbs form up nicely. From grand coulee travel south along the lake to sun lakes state park for more recreational activities. Dominating the landscape is a columnar, basaltic rock with a surface area of 600 acres. In six years i had climbed nearly all of the frozen drips i. Banks lake rock climbing out of the boat banks lake in. In 2001, the first guidebook information to the area appeared, documenting nearly 50 routes.
Subarea photo photo copy approachdescent trail book. This was my first time climbing here, but i presume it would be rather hot in the summer. Climbing books share book recommendations with your. Rock climbing fiction and non fiction novels 24 books. Within the seemingly endless slab walls of granite rising out of the water are sections of steeper rock that provide fun climbing and safe falls. Kj watersports offers the most affordable premium boat rentals on banks lake. So, youre familiar with the joy of swinging tools, foot placements on ice, and the unforgettable screaming barfies, but are looking to take the next step in your climbing progression. Its the definitive guide to the area, its crags and routes. The weather was beautiful, the group was great, and i was introduced to a new part of washington that i probably would not have had the chance to visit otherwise. If you are on holiday in the lakes and want to find crags and select were to climb its a good book. Tr banks lake orange wall area camping 622011 central. With spring comes renewed enthusiasm, and banks lake is the perfect destination for climbers looking to start the season off strong.
Park features steamboat rock state park is a 5,043acre camping park with 50,000 feet of freshwater shoreline at the north end of banks lake and a columnar, basaltic rock with a surface area of 600 acres. At banks lake near grand coulee wa enjoy camping, wildlife viewing, hiking, fishing, boating, and rock climbing. With full service concierge boat launch all you have to do is show up and board we take care of the rest. Originally published in the april 2018 print edition of out there outdoors under the title chasing spring at banks lake. Banks lake can be fished yearround and is a great vacation destination. View from the top of highway rock, definitely accessible climbing down there high up on highway rock, penninsula in the distance goes out to steamboat rock. Anyone who is interested in visiting banks lake can print the free topographic map and street map using the link above. Rent a whole home for your next weekend or holiday.
A guide will make your visit more productive, but just exploring will turn up climbs if thats the sort of adventure you want. Without any book guiding us, we managed to find some awesome. Rock climbing fiction and non fiction novels books where the main character is a climber or a serious hiker and climbing and hiking is important to the story. Most of the 91 miles of shoreline are ringed with basalt cliffs and talus slopes. Rock climbing in banks lake northrup canyon, central region. At kj watersports we strive to provide excellent service for each guest and get you on the lake for an unforgettable fun.
Banks lake is displayed on the steamboat rock sw usgs quad topo map. Classic climbing routes at banks lake northrup canyon mountain projects determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area. Eagle pass is a protected area just north of steamboat rock state park that consists of rocky outcroppings of granite as big as islets or just rocks. Camp at the overflow area on the lake just past highway rock. The lake is well known for excellent fishing and is a birders paradise in the spring and fall. Steve drove up for an ice climbing trip to banks lake, in central washington. Banks lake is a 27mile 43 km long reservoir in central washington in the united states. You definitely need a boat to access the bulk of the dws. This past weekend spent in banks lake was my first outdoor climbing trip in washington. The primary purpose of banks lake is to store and deliver water for irrigation of agricultural lands in central washington. Banks lake lodge, motel and rv park websites by cook. Leprauchuan lake just after meeting lake viviane, the trail makes an interesting climb up to the banks of leprauchuan lake, another beauty spot of this part of the enchantments, often referred to as the lower lakes.
There are some good sized multipitch walls across the lake, i think accesible only by boat and the climbing looks killer. Feb, 2018 doctor of climbology is your shortcut to becoming cultured in climbing. Rock climbing routes in banks lake, eastern washington. Many members of the climbing community would say that banks lake has the best collection of 5.
It is done indoors and out, on natural and manmade structures. I have been climbing here since the beginning, and every year since. Banks lake outpost is the onsite concession where you can rent canoes or kayaks, buy bait and fishing supplies, and just shoot the breeze. Along northeast shore of banks lake and on west side of hwy 155, appx 4 miles south of electric city or 19 miles north of dry falls dam. An imperfect, unscientific guide to 55 mustread, mustsee, musthear climbing stories from masters of the art. Climbing is the activity of using ones hands, feet, or any other part of the body to ascend a steep object. Part of the columbia basin project, banks lake occupies the northern portion of the grand coulee, a formerly dry coulee near the columbia river, formed by the missoula floods during the pleistocene epoch. I cant wait to get back to banks lake to enjoy more of what the area has to offer. Turn in on the left, then go right, away from the boat ramp. Many local climbers have discovered the ice climbing over there, feverishly posting the results of trips on. The newer style books like rocfax are better layed out. Explore 50,000 feet of banks lake freshwater shoreline.
Choose from more than 59 properties, ideal house rentals for families, groups and couples. Banks lake is a 27mile 43 km long reservoir in central washington in the united states part of the columbia basin project, banks lake occupies the northern portion of the grand coulee, a formerly dry coulee near the columbia river, formed by the missoula floods during the pleistocene epoch. Banks lake lodge is quietly located in downtown coulee city and close to many of grant county and other attractions. Doctor of climbology is your shortcut to becoming cultured in climbing. Writer marty mokler banks likes to skip rocks in a lake but shes only done a little rock climbing. Rock jocks, wall rats, and hang dogs teaches us about the early days of our sport through insightful and funny stories from the golden age of climbing. Banks lake supertopo rock climbing discussion topic. Steamboat rock state park washington state parks and. The mental aspects of rock climbing are often overlooked in climbing literature, but we all know how drastically our thoughts can effect our climbing performance and experience this book outlines a comprehensive program for training your mind to overcome everything from performance anxiety to the fear. Classic climbing routes at banks lake northrup canyon mountain project s determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area. Banks lake was created in 1951 as an equalizing reservoir for the columbia basin irrigation project, which is governed by the united states bureau of reclamation. Intermediate will help the beginner ice climber tackle steeper lines and introduce ice protection systems.
Helens no name rock north cascades peshastin pinnacles snoqualmie pass tieton uw rock. This is the banks lake in central washington, right. We had heard that the ice was there, so we gambled the 3. Lake coeur dalene kj watersports banks lake boat rentals. The latitude and longitude coordinates of banks lake are 47. A june, 1987 article in climbing magazine described a new genre of boat climbing at banks lake, including routes rigged to start directly from a canoe belay. Two campground areas and a large dayuse area are on sweeping green lawns, protected from winds by tall dramatic poplars. Its all concentrated off the backside of highway rock and extends out toward the larger multipitch climbing on the far side of the lake post modern wall etc. Banks lake is a manmade impoundment in a 27mile portion of a natural coulee. While the total number of crags along banks lake is limited, the area can entertain you for a few long weekends.
Lodging at its best in one of the coulees best motels. China bend darrington exit 38 and deception crags gold bar index town walls leavenworth marymoor park mazama mclellan rocks mount adams mt olympus mt. Rock climbing routes in highway rock aka roadside rock, banks. More recently, climbers have focused on the easily accessible crags along the east side of the lake and, to a lesser extent, the more remote domes on the west side of the lake. Water withdrawal can cause the elevation of banks lake to vary during the irrigation season, generally late. The 25 best rock climbing books every climber should read. This area near the grand coulee dam stays quite cold during the winter, with temperatures regularly in the low twenties. Rune lake perfection lake the biggest lake in the middle enchantments, rune lake is the centerpiece. Ronda really wanted to try this area from the day i showed it to her in the guide book.
Canadian climber david chaundysmart recounts stories as a deviant youth in pursuit of rock climbing. Banks lake outdoors is the first step into a wonderful natural resource. With five designated climbing areas that offer variance in both difficulty and climbing style, there is no shortage of routes to choose from. Banks lake, washington pass liberty bell, mazama fun rock, goat wall, and. Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with reallife experiences and advice from fellow climbers.