Happy Boulders  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  4,500' Lat, Long:  37.4156, -118.4482 Map Page Views:  224,762. Good page? (2 likes)    Administrators:  Aron Quiter, Euan Cameron, Adam Winters, M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Adam Winters on Feb 23, 2006 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 77° | 41° 73° | 41° 77° | 43° 81° | 41° 81° | 43°

Josh Junkermeier on 'Big Chicken'

Description 

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

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 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 and wind-swept Buttermilks.

* * * * * STAY OFF THE PLANTS * * * * *

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 test every technique - most notably is the abundance of finger pockets which are found everywhere. 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.

The Happy Canyon with Mt Tom and the Wheeler Crest in the background Submitted By: Euan Cameron on Dec 27, 2010

Getting There 

From US 395 in Bishop, take US 6 north out of town towards Benton/Chalfant/Tonopah. After 1.3 miles, turn left on Five Bridges Rd. Follow this down the straightaway around the left-hand curve, past the Aggregate Plant to a 4-way intersection where the pavement turns to dirt. Take a left on Chalk Bluff Rd. Follow for 2.3 miles and park on the left side of the road. The canyon can easily be seen to your right, up the hill.

Pulling through the easy section of Black Magic. Submitted By: Michael Schmenk on Dec 4, 2012

The Classics

Featured Route For Happy Boulders

Action Figure V6  CA : Sierra Eastside : ... : Action Figure Cave

The original line on the wall. Used to be harder (or at least more painful) 'till someone filed out the bottom of the mono after it had already been done...Nonetheless, great pulls on steep pockets. Can be topped out, but not as fun as stepping off. ...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

Photos of Happy Boulders Slideshow

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BETA PHOTO: Area locations at the Happy Boulders	Lots of Happy Boulders	The Happy Canyon with Mt Tom and the Wheeler Crest...
Happy Boulders. Photo by Blitzo.	Playing at The Happy Boulders. Photo by Blitzo.	Bouldering at The Happies. Photo by Blitzo.
Bouldering at the Happies. Photo by Blitzo.	Leon, warming up in the Happys	Blitzo is everywhere! Here Robbie is sticking the...
having fun at the Happies	Happy bouldering	Katrina having fun
Aaron onsites a high ball in the happy boulders. F...	Bleached Bones	Hike out from the Happys on a cool December aftern...
Perfect afternoon conditions at the Happy Boulders...	Boulders everywhere	The main trail on the approach into the canyon.
Good day at the Happies	Top of the 'T-Crack Left', deep in the Upper Canyo...	Black Friday sales? No, the Happies on a holiday ...
en route to the Happies from Bishop	Basin Mtn & Mt Tom from the Happies	x marks the spot
no better place to be on xmas eve	Inyo Mtns from the Happies	another fine day in the Tablelands
It's fun at The Happies! Photo by Blitzo.