Mount Erie Rock Climbing

Mount Erie is actually within city limits, located just south of Anacortes. The area features some 50 miles of hiking trails, as well as exceptional views of the Olympics and Puget Sound. Though it is a mountain there are no really large expanses of rock, but instead short cliffs & crags hidden in the steep madrona, fir & hemlock forests on the flanks of the mountain. With over 400 routes, good weather and great views, Mt. Erie has become a popular climbing destination. From beginner top rope training, 5.13 sport, and multipitch classics, Mt. Erie offers a lot of variety.

Climbing type: Sport, trad, mixed gear and TR only routes. Many of the crags have opportunities for top rope access.

Gear: A rack of gear to 3 inches and quickdraws will suffice for most routes. Almost all routes can be descended with a single 60-meter rope.

Rock type: Diorite, highly textured and featured, excellent to climb on, but few continuous cracks of any significant length.

Weather: Mt. Erie is located in the rain shadow of the Olympics, so offers the potential for dry climbing year round. March to October is best, always bring layers.

Camping: No camping on Mount Erie, but there is a campground at the Lake Erie Store across the street. 

Further Reference: Rockin' on the Rock: A Guide to Mt. Erie Climbing, by Dallas Kloke, Jim Thompson and Aaron Bryant. The print guide is available at the Lake Erie Store, Samcor Fuel Station on Hwy 20 across from Campbell Lake as well as the Watermark Book store in downtown Anacortes. The digital version is available on rakkup (as well as the print guide) which provides a map and navigation assistance to the myriad crags at Mt. Erie. The rakkup guide is always the most up to date source as routes are added and revised by local climbers. The Mt. Erie Facebook page provides information on route updates and events.