Heise Rock Rock Climbing

Heise (Elephant) Rock is a large volcanic plug located just off Heise-Kelly Canyon Road about a mile before the mouth of the canyon. Heise Rock was first bolted in the 80's by Jeff Hursh and Chuck Oddette, and has some of the hardest climbs in Eastern Idaho.

The rock is fairly solid, depending on which face your choose to climb, and seems to be some type of conglomerate basalt; occasionally pieces may break lose along fractures. The rock is best climbed from late spring through the fall. Winter is suicidal. Snow melt and spring rain keep the area around the crag water logged for a couple of weeks during the early spring.

Routes vary from 5.6+ to 5.13c with most climbs somewhere in the moderate to difficult range; if your looking for more moderate routes head just up the road into Kelly Canyon to Paramount. All routes can be completed with a 50m rope and are somewhere between 35-55 feet high. Rappel anchors are also located above most routes as the rock is frequented by the climbing impaired. This does however allow you to rappel down to the climbing anchors so you can set up top rope on the harder stuff. The sun is always shinning on at least one face, so whether you're looking for sun or shade, you'll be able to find it. Heise Rock also offers a small number of trad climbs for those of who demand an extra thrill.

The area is located on the edge of the Palisades mountain range in Eastern Idaho. There are plenty of places to camp, not to mention world class flyfishing in the nearby Snake river. Restaurants are not prevalent in the area however there is a pizza parlor 1/2 mile back up the road in Heise. If you're not a local you might like to try out Big Judd's in nearby Archer for some of the biggest and greasiest burgers you've ever seen.

This is definitely not a destination spot, but would be a fun place to visit if you happen to pass by on your way to Grand Teton National Park, as it is only a few miles off Hwy 26.