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Elevation: 853 ft
GPS: 41.935, -93.5376
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Shared By: Jon Lauters on Jan 19, 2008
Admins: Raud

Description Suggest change

The majority of outdoor areas with quality rock are located on the eastern side of the state. Iowans and folks from out of state gather in great numbers at places like Pictured Rocks county park, and Indian Bluffs state wildlife management area, both near Monticello, Iowa.

Backbone State park, near Strawberry Point, has a variety of climbs that are more spread out. Hoot Bluff, between Monticello and Maquoketa, Iowa, is a notable winter destination because the south-facing climbs are often warm enough for winter free climbing. In summer, Hoot as well as other spots become very hot, humid and difficult to get to when the vegetation expands and obscures trails and views.

Getting There Suggest change

Head towards the eastern side of the state via I80 or other appropriate highway or gravel road. Most of the climbing is within 40 to 50 miles of Monticello, Iowa, which is located on Route 151. Many of the state roads are in excellent shape, but the path you take in Iowa will have many 90-degree turns. The 151 is a more direct / diagonal route in many cases.

Whatever path you take, you will no-doubt see lots of flat landscape, then rolling hills. Keep the faith, and ask directions if you need to. Folks will help, and you will be rewarded with an opportunity to spend some time on quality limestone and see the hidden gems of Iowa.

649 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Iowa

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V5 6C
 12
Sugar Daddy
Boulder
V7 7A+
 10
Sugar Daddy Sit Start
Boulder
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 59
Three Strikes No Balls
Sport, TR
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 30
Border Town Donkey Show
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 25
Liberal Tendencies
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 42
Bird in Hand
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 29
Super Fly
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 65
Flash
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 22
Julie's Kiss
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 15
C N Red
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 14
Lesbian Knife Fight
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 23
Gravity Amp
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 10
Fat Chicks on Pogo Sticks
Sport
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 9
Back in the Groove
Sport
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b R
 6
Jimmy Edge
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Sugar Daddy Coralville Lake… > Original Boulders
 12
V5 6C Boulder
Sugar Daddy Sit Start Coralville Lake… > Original Boulders
 10
V7 7A+ Boulder
Three Strikes No Balls Pictured Rocks > Sport/TR/Trad > Comic Gallery
 59
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport, TR
Border Town Donkey Show Pictured Rocks > Sport/TR/Trad > Windy Point
 30
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Liberal Tendencies Ozark Wildlife… > Sport/Trad > Hoot Bluff
 25
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Bird in Hand Pictured Rocks > Sport/TR/Trad > Wild Iowa Wall
 42
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Super Fly Pictured Rocks > Sport/TR/Trad > A Wall
 29
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Flash Pictured Rocks > Sport/TR/Trad > Comic Gallery
 65
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Julie's Kiss Pictured Rocks > Sport/TR/Trad > Comic Gallery
 22
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
C N Red Indian Bluffs > Sport/TR/Trad > Mother Wall
 15
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Lesbian Knife Fight Pictured Rocks > Sport/TR/Trad > Windy Point
 14
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Gravity Amp Ozark Wildlife… > Sport/Trad > Hoot Bluff
 23
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Fat Chicks on Pogo Sticks Pictured Rocks > Sport/TR/Trad > Windy Point
 10
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Back in the Groove Ozark Wildlife… > Sport/Trad > Hoot Bluff
 9
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Sport
Jimmy Edge Pictured Rocks > Sport/TR/Trad > T-Wall
 6
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b R Sport
More Classic Climbs in Iowa »

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