Three O
Climbing Sections:
About Three O:
| Three O'Clock Rock is the easiest to reach of all the crags in the Darrington area. It is a 700 foot granite dome, known for knobby face and slab climbs 1 to 8 pitches in length. As with much of Darrington, most of the climbs have been upgraded with modern hardware so that, as of Summer, 2001, they are generally safe by traditional rock climbing standards but the leader used to sport climbs with a bolt every body length or less will find these climbs to be intimidating. A standard rack, containing small wired nuts and camming devices up to 3" will be useful. The top of the cliff is brushy and a walk off (from some routes it is possible to bushwack to the north) is not recommended -- climbers should bring two ropes and plan on 50 meter rappels. Pictured here is the third pitch of Silent Running (5.9+), an old classic that has been retrofitted with modern hardware. This climb is a good choice for a leader who might be new to traditional climbing - though mostly bolted it requires some gear placements and, while run-out where the climbing is easier, anything remotely near the 5.9+ difficulty rating is very well protected. In the background of the photo is Exfoliation Dome. |
| Nearest town or city: | Darrington |
| Directions: | To reach Three O'Clock Rock, follow the Mtn. Loop Hwy Southeast out of Darrington, Washington, to the USFS Clear Creek road that turns off right immediately before the Clear Creek Campground, two or three miles out of town. Follow the gravel road for about five miles, stay right at a junction, and soon reach the old Squire Creek Pass trailhead -- a wide turn out where, as of Summer 2001, a hubcap hung on a tree on the right. The somewhat crude Squire Creek Trail ascends through pleasant woods, and about 40 minutes from the road emerges from the forest onto an overgrown talus field. Straight ahead, the trail runs directly into the part of the crag called the North Buttress; a side trail leads from the boulders up and left to the South Buttress. |
| Latitude, Longitude: | |
| Access Issues: | |
| Camping: | Free |
| When to Climb: | |
| Quantity of Climbs: | Week |
