Climbing Near Bloomington, Illinois

Old bridge pillar of some sorts that features some decent but short and easy lines. There is potential for some development, and even a couple of dynos. Area is subject to river flooding, and some times it can get a little muddy around the pillar, but it’s usually not bad. Top outs are easy. The best down climb is on the North side, use the slopey part of the pillar to get your footing and then drop down. Bring bug spray. There is a parking lot at the end of Lorentz Avenue off of N Galena Rd. Walk past the electrical tower and towards the river. There is usually a trail that is pretty well-cleared. Once you get past the tower it is impossible to miss the concrete pillar.

As of October 2018, Rocky Glen has officially become a park open to the public. A nice parking lot and new entrance to Rocky Glen has been added to Kickapoo Creek Road. Peoria Park District has recently posted a trail map at the entrance, along with a new trail, that is well marked, and leads to the spray painted sandstone formations. At the opposite end of the small creek that flows through the Glen is an abandoned coal mine entrance that is welded shut.  Peoria Park Destrict has added a new parking lot on Kickapoo Creek Road. The parking lot has a trail map posted at the entrance. Follow the trail markers until you reach the small creek at the bottom of a ravine, head right (north) to find the sand stone formations, head left to find the abandoned coal mine.

This area is completely unheard of! Mainly due to the fact it is hidden in central IL.Access during Spring-Summer is buggy, full of underbrush, and difficult, but some areas (notably the Mushroom Slab) are still easily accessible.You can park across from Lehigh Park in a parking lot.Cross the road and continue towards the outdoor band stand. Go past the band stand towards the back left corner of the park.There you should stumble upon a trail. Follow that trail until it starts to go downhill.Take the second trail on your left (this is a downhill mtb course so watch out!), it should take a sharp left and then open up into a a clearer area. Continue along the downhill course and look to your left.Alternatively, you can park at the Vermillon River Boat Launch. Follow the desire path West-South-West of the main parking area (41.30139071362584, -89.04024670645529). This quickly turns into a footpath that you can follow along the river for roughly a quarter mile. This will put you below the starting area, which you'll need to walk away from the river towards the cliffs to reach.Look all around we are finding new boulders every time we go out there. From Oglesby: Drive east of Walnut St and you should see it on your left once you get outside the main town area.