Steeple Rock

Overview

Steeple Rock is a 200-ft spire located approximately 2 miles from Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center, down the Obstruction Point road. This is a quick climb from the road that can take as little as 20 minutes or take longer to practice year around.
Crag and Sport Route rating 2 to 5.2.
USGS Mount Angeles.

Getting There

From Port Angeles, Washington take S Race Road up to the Olympic National Park Ranger Station, turn right onto
the Hurricane Ridge road. Follow approximately 17.3 miles where the road climbs to an intersection with Obstruction Point Road on the left. Follow Obstruction Point Road approximately 2 miles, having past Morse Creek where the Cox Valley Trail begins, where the road climbs as it goes beneath Steeple Rock. There is a wide area to park just below Steeple Rock.

Climbing Routes

East Ridge,5.0. This climb is on the east end of Steeple Rock, scrambling along the S side of the ridge to reach the tree below the summit clock. Follow the Voile Normale line to the summit.
Voile Normale,5.0. Ascend along the SW spur, heading E to a broken ledge with a tree on the left. Climb up and left over a short slab to a notch. Climb through the notch, along the terraced ledge to a gully on the crest of the SW spur. Continue along the scree terrace below the summit block. Go down to the prominent tree visible from the road and climb the long crack to the summit.
Direct Finish,5.2. From the terrace, climb the steep, short wall to an alcove. Continue up to a right slanting ledge. Go right around a corner an follow the easy rock to the summit.
Wings,5.8. This is an interesting route ascending the northernmost crack on the W face. Climb a left facing corner along a pillar to a small belay stance atop the pillar. Continue ascending right on some loose rock and follow a shallow chimney to the terrace.
Bye Gulley,5.0. Ascending the gully that divides the W face, main summit rock from a false summit rock to the W. Fun in the winter, lots of loose rock in summer. Starting north of Wings, Follow a narrowing gully to a large chockstone. Climb around the chockstone to the NW notch of the summit.
North Side Scrambles2. Choose any route from the Obstruction Road, heading to the north ridgeline through scree and heather along the W slope of Steeple Rock. Make your way to the obvious notch through trees and rocks. Contour E and follow the faint trail to the summit.

Red Tape

Steeple Rock is within the Olympic National Park, therefore you need a day pass or a National Park Pass.

Camping

If you desire to camp in the Olympic National Park, you need to acquire an overnight pass at the Ranger Station in Port Angeles or other Olympic National Park locations.

References

http://www.olympic.national-park.com/
All climbing information is from "Olympic Mountains: A Climbing Guide: Alpine Climbs, Rock Climbs, and High Traverses" by Olympic Mountain Rescue, Fourth Edition, 2006.

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Images

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