Happy Boulders Climbing

The Happy Boulders offer highly concentrated world-class volcanic bouldering with hundreds of worthy problems ranging from simple to ridiculous.

Long shadowed by the more well-known and publicized Buttermilks, more and more climbers are realizing the potential inside the Happy Boulders canyon. Most first-time visitors will be overwhelmed by the amount of projects they just gathered and will find themselves making time to return. Some say at the Happies your muscles will fail first, whereas in the Buttermilks its usually your skin that will be your reason for leaving. Regardless, it's nice to have the options so close. Visitors experiencing Bishop in the colder months can find shelter and warmer temps here rather than the exposed, wind-swept, and higher-elevated Buttermilks.

* * * * * * STAY OFF THE PLANTS, STAY ON TRAIL & PACK OUT ALL TRASH * * * * * *

The rock, which looks brittle and crumbly with a quick glance is surprisingly bomber volcanic Bishop Tuff - just be weary on high top-outs that may not see much traffic. The boulders found here offer faces that challenge every technique - most notably is the abundance of finger pockets which are found in most zones. You'll also find steep, gymnastic juggy overhangs and crimpy faces, as well as low traverses and unlimited eliminates and link-ups. Cracks of wide ranges can be found on the rim along with easy and scary highballing... it's all here. The landings are flat, the boulders are jam-packed, and everyone in your posse will find what they're looking for.

Read more at the BLM Happy Boulders page.

The Happy Canyon with Mt Tom and the Wheeler Crest in the background