Pinto Rock Rock Climbing

Standing just over 400 feet tall, Pinto Rock is a welded-tuff breccia formation located in the heart of Washington’s southern Cascade Mountains. The cliff walls are heavily studded with knobs ranging from small pebbles to large blocks. Originally, some of the routes here were protected by the knobs which can be somewhat securely hitched with runners or slings while the more recent routes have been protected by the use of bolts. There are also several mixed routes combining the two disciplines, so even if the bolts look good from the ground, its always a good idea to have an extra couple of slings just in case. The southwest buttress is the tallest aspect, both of its east and west faces are quite long, and there is a deep gully/walk-through that separates the northern section. At 5,123 feet the position of the crag is very prominent to its surroundings offering a high elevation/alpine feel - not to mention a spectacular 360 degree panoramic view of Adams, Hood, St. Helens and Rainier!