Suggested Page Improvements to Crackenstein

Crackenstein is a heinous top-rope area established in 1989 when Shane Miller got the first free ascent of Afternoon Delight (aka “The Big One”), belayed by Steve Teufert. Allen Giese got the first free ascent of Crackenstein in 1990 or 1991. Some years later, Kevin Rose put up several interesting crack climbs, leading them on gear after rehearsed top-ropes and chiseling and other modifications to accommodate the gear. It’s a beautiful location, but beware: the area is not safe except for top-roping, unless you’re familiar with the routes and are willing to lead with purely psychological protection. Bolts have been placed, with the consent of the original climbers, to provide a safer experience but even the bolts may be suspect.

The rock at Crackenstein is a water laid welded tuff that is quite unusual on the Olympic Peninsula and when freshly broken is a yellowish tan color and may be the lightest colored bedrock found on the peninsula. Unlike airfall welded tuffs the rock at Crackenstein lacks the gas bubbles that create the popular pockets and bucket holds found at crags like Smith Rock in Oregon. The water laid tuff is very rough with a high coefficient of friction; taping is advised.

This crag faces roughly northeast and is shady and cool on most hot days.

From the Highway 101, 112 junction a few miles west of Port Angeles go 7.2 miles out 112 to Camp Hayden road. Turn right and go 2.5 miles out Camp Hayden to a newly constructed logging road on the right with a yellow gate a short distance up the road. If the gate is open (and you have a Washington Discovery Pass, this is the fastest way, otherwise see below)  Go 2 miles up this new road through a bunch of recent logging activity to an abandoned road on your left with a prominent Y junction park here (GPS coordinates 48.1562445, -123.6812489). Go northeast on the trail for about 5-10 mins and then take a left turnoff onto a faint climber's trail (GPS 48.1590570, -123.6812074).  You'll reach the concrete foundation of a WW2 radio facility (GPS 48.1604535, -123.6825522). Once you reach the old foundations continue down the ridge on a climbers trail a short distance to where a third class scramble drops you down a bit on the west side and a traverse and another third class move leads you around to the east side near the base of the climbs The Pointy Part and Pygmy Twilight.

Alternate Approach:  If the gate is closed, you can just walk along the logging roads, but there is a nicer, shady trail that gets you to the same place.  Drive to the Salt Creek Recreation Area (free for day use) and park in the lot to your right immediately after passing through the gate.  Take the Strait Slope Trail eastward and then take the well-signed right turn onto the Bunker Ridge Trail.  Follow this to the turnoff for the faint climber's trail as mentioned above.