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The Hidden Temple

Virginia > Central & South… > Richmond Vicinity > Buttermilks

Description

Hidden up in the trees, you will find a temple of orange rock. Slabby face climbs lead to a large ledge to top out on. Capped by a big roof. Do you have what it takes to sit atop the throne??

Getting There

Start at the 42nd Street parking lot. Head west down the main Buttermilk Trail. (Take a left.) Take the stone steps or the ramp/footbridge on the right. The loop trail splits off to the left, known as the Quarry Loop trail. The temple is hidden in the woods west of the loop trail.

A tree has fallen across the original access trail. There is a shortcut trail about 10 paces past the Quarry Loop/Buttermilk Trail sign in the photo. It's on the left as you approach from the 42nd Street parking lot.

Routes from Left to Right

V1-2 5 PG13
 18
● Ascend to Enlightenment
Boulder
V1 5
 12
● The Disciple
Boulder
V1 5
 10
● Blue Barracudas
Boulder
V3 6A
 9
● Chakra Blues
Boulder
V6 7A
 4
● The Seven Chakras
Boulder
V0 4
 11
● The Throne
Boulder
V3-4 6A+
 3
● Thunk Like a Monk
Boulder
V3-4 6A+
 2
● Dunk Like a Monk
Boulder
V3-4 6A+
 2
● Pinch Like a Punk
Boulder
V3 6A
 1
● Screeching Monkey
Boulder
V4 6B
 1
● In Your Ear
Boulder
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Ascend to Enlightenment
 18
V1-2 5 PG13 Boulder
● The Disciple
 12
V1 5 Boulder
● Blue Barracudas
 10
V1 5 Boulder
● Chakra Blues
 9
V3 6A Boulder
● The Seven Chakras
 4
V6 7A Boulder
● The Throne
 11
V0 4 Boulder
● Thunk Like a Monk
 3
V3-4 6A+ Boulder
● Dunk Like a Monk
 2
V3-4 6A+ Boulder
● Pinch Like a Punk
 2
V3-4 6A+ Boulder
● Screeching Monkey
 1
V3 6A Boulder
● In Your Ear
 1
V4 6B Boulder

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

The hidden temple
[Hide Photo] The hidden temple
Vertical pano of Hidden Temple.
[Hide Photo] Vertical pano of Hidden Temple.
Tim Goodloe on the ledge at The Hidden Temple
[Hide Photo] Tim Goodloe on the ledge at The Hidden Temple
Heading west on the Buttermilk Trail from the 42nd Street parking lot, pass the Quarry Loop trail sign and go about 10 paces to find the shortcut trail on the left. Follow the rough trail uphill to the Hidden Temple. Total approach time: 5-7 minutes
[Hide Photo] Heading west on the Buttermilk Trail from the 42nd Street parking lot, pass the Quarry Loop trail sign and go about 10 paces to find the shortcut trail on the left. Follow the rough trail uphill to…

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Ian Lotz
[Hide Comment] There are some access issues with this boulder as there is no current path to the boulder. Oct 31, 2019
Matt Cole
[Hide Comment] Confirming what Ian said, access to this boulder is rough. The landing area under the wall has also gotten pretty washed out, so there's no good place to stand and spot. Nov 20, 2019
Dan Davis
Richmond, VA
[Hide Comment] Update on this boulder, I built up the landing zone some to make it more level and stable and there seems to be a decent footpath to the boulder now as well. Check it out! Jan 29, 2020
Jeff Smada
Richmond, VA
[Hide Comment] Neat little area, but what's with all the PG-13 suggestions? None of these routes are that sketchy... Dec 13, 2021
George Florence
[Hide Comment] The landing zone as been improved since they were first put up so the PG13 may not be necessary anymore. Thanks to Dan for that! Dec 14, 2021