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EM: Sage Mountain Recreation Area

Missouri
Warning Access Issue: Go to sagemountaincamping.com/buy… to pay for your day pass DetailsDrop down

Description

Please pay $10 for day pass. $15 for 24 hr access

Self Rescue Notes: If needed, a stretcher is tucked in the rock, left side of Twisted Fate, on the  Wizards Point Wall. It's in a bright orange bag just under Twisted Fate.

BACKGROUND

Opened in Fall 2021 by Eastern Missouri Climbers' Association(EMCA), Sage Mountain Campground offers accessible sandstone and is the closest (legal) sandstone bouldering location to St Louis, MO (<1.5hrs). 

Update 9.26.2022: Please join me in thanking our volunteers and Above all Marcus Floyd. Volunteers have done tremendous work getting trails ready so that Marcus and EMCA were able to follow with route cleaning and finally bolts (provided by Marcus Floyd). We would not be able to do this without their efforts. With this, please respect the area. Please don't take victory whips. Please be respectful of hikers and mindful of these routes being brand new. Overall, 18 routes are bolted and a few others are ready for tree top rope. If you wish to help pay for bolts please reach out to easternmissouriclimbingassoc@gmail.com 

DEVELOPERS BE AWARE!!!

Boulder problems: anyone can add a problem. Please reach out to easternmissouriclimbingassoc@gmail.com before adding them to mountain project. You must ascend your problem before adding it. Videos work best for proof as there are times where multiple people work on the same line. *Do not boulder IN the Cave! You will break off large pieces that could cause death.

Routes: no one is allowed to add bolts or drill holes. There are a few fixed routes but please stay off until we have added them to mountain project. Tree top roping is permitted but do so at your own risk. Trad is allowed but this stone is soft in areas. Trad gear may be secure but the rock quality around it may break.

ADDITITIONAL INFORMATION

The boulders are shaded towards the late afternoon due to their position on the hill other than the cave. Currently, there are over 50 problems to chose from ranging from Vb-V7. The features of the rock is similar to Boiling Springs and The Dutzow Boulders. 

Sage Mountain offers a variety of activities so please be friendly to all guests. Construction is ongoing so please be aware there are only portable restrooms available at the moment. Please be courteous of SMR's neighbors and stay inside of the white line that lines the property. Property will eventually be expanded and we do not want to ruin any potential access.

*There is a gun club nearby. No hunting is allowed on the land but you may hear gunshots due to this.

**There's a quarry several miles away and they rarely blast.

Getting There

There is a variety of payment options including 

Day passes $10. 

Primative camping  $15 

Once you make your way off the main road, make a right turn at the first sign next to the plastic horse, continue following signs and ignore the trailer on the right ( there's a big bump in the road here). Follow the road around until you are in a large gravel clearing. This is the parking lot. Continue on and up the trail to the unloading zone where you may drop off camping/climbing equipment. Once unloaded, please  park your car down the hill in the parking lot. DO NOT DRIVE PAST THE UNLOADING ZONE. The gravel is not secure enough to bode safe travel and there is no where to turn around.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Scenic
[Hide Photo] Scenic
boulder breakout 2
[Hide Photo] boulder breakout 2
Boulder Breakout 1
[Hide Photo] Boulder Breakout 1
Sport Map
[Hide Photo] Sport Map
Boulder Map
[Hide Photo] Boulder Map
Main Map
[Hide Photo] Main Map
Medical equipment location
[Hide Photo] Medical equipment location
crag photo #4
[Hide Photo] crag photo #4
left crag pic #3
[Hide Photo] left crag pic #3
left side crage pic #2
[Hide Photo] left side crage pic #2
left side of crag
[Hide Photo] left side of crag
boulder in Bandit Cove (aka Rune boulder)
[Hide Photo] boulder in Bandit Cove (aka Rune boulder)

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

[Hide Comment] This area is great! It needs more traffic for the routes to get a bit cleaner but the climbing is still great. The directions on the MP direction tabs are really good, but the GPS location for each boulder is way off for most of the areas except the cave. Mar 5, 2022
Nick Richards
Stl, mo
[Hide Comment] Hey Guys!

Glad you all are enjoying the area. Routes should be announced by next fall. Follow emclimbers.com for volunteer opportunities that will help speed up the process Mar 23, 2022
Wade C
STL
[Hide Comment] No worries, thanks for the responsive feedback! Nov 18, 2022
Philip Wire
Missouri
[Hide Comment] Is there a way to pay with cash or check at the parking lot, or are all passes sold online? TIA! Jan 23, 2023
Nick Richards
Stl, mo
[Hide Comment] The only way to pay is online for now. Thanks for the great question! Sep 23, 2023