Kristalea - Jan 26, 2020 8:36 pm Date Climbed: Jan 8, 2020
Try to climb here often
It's hard to find elevation gain in WI but going around Devils Lake provides great bluffs with beauty.
technicolorNH - Aug 6, 2019 6:23 am Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2019
Up the bluff
Scampered up on top of the bluffs as a break from the interstates. For Wisconsin this was impressively steep, with a nice swim afterwards.
alynch - Nov 16, 2017 11:51 am Date Climbed: Apr 5, 2014
Favorite spot
Estimated date. This place has been my favorite climbing area from the first time I went. Rough guess for number of visits is a minimum of 60, which includes two years living far outside of WI. This is special land.
Alpinist - Oct 18, 2015 11:52 am Date Climbed: Oct 17, 2015
North Slope
Climbed several routes on the North Slope as part of the AAC Craggin' Classic outing. The CMC set-up a bunch of top ropes in the North Slope for AAC members to climb. The routes are single pitch and range from 5.3 to 5.10.
The North Slope is the northern most buttress in the West Bluff. It offers early morning sun when the weather is cold and easy access (1/10th mile) from the road.
jonnoll - Feb 11, 2012 12:21 am Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2009
Racing the Bluffs
Ran both bluffs during the Dances with Dirt 50k.
Socorro - Nov 3, 2011 5:26 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2007
Slippery
Can´t remember the date really well, but I came with a climbing club on a very wet weekend...super slippery.
Climbed up to the top of the bluffs many many times. Love hiking the bluff trail and have ascended from both sides a number of times. I've lived within an hour of this park for most of my life so it will always be a special place for me. Love it!
Holsti97 - Jul 12, 2009 1:03 am Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2009
Midwest SP Outing
My wife and I hiked to the top of the bluffs in search of the Poison Ivy Rock and other SP members. Biked around the park and down the Ice Age Trail. First visit to the park despite living in Wisconsin my entire life. Met up with George (Alpinist)and others from the Chicago Mountaineering Club in the evening and had a nice visit discussing mountains and Summitpost. Will definitely be returning to this park.
Did my first legitimate climbing there. Great stuff. Devil's Lake also has some of the best hiking in the area. I've been there in summer and fall and it's always gorgeous.
outofstep80 - Mar 12, 2008 6:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2006
east and west rampart
Great climbing spread out over a large area. Easy to avoid people if you desire.
Stu Brandel - Dec 15, 2007 3:50 pm Date Climbed: Dec 31, 2011
Best Hiking within 4 hours of Chicago
Within 4 hours driving distance of Chicago, the best hiking (other contenders: Starved Rock, Indiana Dunes). Avoid weekends if you can or come fall/winter. In a cold, foggy December day I felt like I had the park to myself, did a 16 mile loop from Parfrey's Glen to the east bluff and back, virtually all park or forest.
Alpinist - Oct 22, 2007 9:24 pm Date Climbed: Oct 20, 2007
Vulture Lookout
Climbed several routes at Vulture Lookout as part of CMC outing. Route numbers below are referenced from Sven Olof Swartling's 2nd edition guidebook.
- #1 Missing Piece 5.7
- #4 5.7 Crack
- #13 Harder by the Climber 5.6
- #16 Inside Corner 5.6
- #19 Inside corner 5.6
It was a beautiful fall day!
Four of us left North Shore area and went up East Bluff trail, visited the doorway, descended Balanced Rock Trail. From there we hugged the lakeshore around to Tumbled Rocks trail to take us back. A great hike, almost 5 miles.
Kristalea - Jan 26, 2020 8:36 pm Date Climbed: Jan 8, 2020
Try to climb here oftenIt's hard to find elevation gain in WI but going around Devils Lake provides great bluffs with beauty.
technicolorNH - Aug 6, 2019 6:23 am Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2019
Up the bluffScampered up on top of the bluffs as a break from the interstates. For Wisconsin this was impressively steep, with a nice swim afterwards.
alynch - Nov 16, 2017 11:51 am Date Climbed: Apr 5, 2014
Favorite spotEstimated date. This place has been my favorite climbing area from the first time I went. Rough guess for number of visits is a minimum of 60, which includes two years living far outside of WI. This is special land.
Alpinist - Oct 18, 2015 11:52 am Date Climbed: Oct 17, 2015
North SlopeClimbed several routes on the North Slope as part of the AAC Craggin' Classic outing. The CMC set-up a bunch of top ropes in the North Slope for AAC members to climb. The routes are single pitch and range from 5.3 to 5.10.
The North Slope is the northern most buttress in the West Bluff. It offers early morning sun when the weather is cold and easy access (1/10th mile) from the road.
jonnoll - Feb 11, 2012 12:21 am Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2009
Racing the BluffsRan both bluffs during the Dances with Dirt 50k.
Socorro - Nov 3, 2011 5:26 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2007
SlipperyCan´t remember the date really well, but I came with a climbing club on a very wet weekend...super slippery.
Rockclimber77 - Jul 25, 2011 10:43 pm
many many tripslearned to climb outdoors here, Cleo's amphitheater, and Railroad amphitheater would be my favorite crags here.
grabbs146 - Nov 5, 2009 11:07 am Date Climbed: Oct 24, 2008
east and west bluffsvarious climbs @ vulture lookout on the east bluff and the north slope on the west bluff.
mibu - Nov 2, 2009 5:25 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2006
Short climbClimbed there 3 routes with my brother and some friends. Top-rope. Have no idea about the names.
BadgerSummitSeeker - Sep 3, 2009 11:17 pm
Hiked Bluff TrailClimbed up to the top of the bluffs many many times. Love hiking the bluff trail and have ascended from both sides a number of times. I've lived within an hour of this park for most of my life so it will always be a special place for me. Love it!
Holsti97 - Jul 12, 2009 1:03 am Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2009
Midwest SP OutingMy wife and I hiked to the top of the bluffs in search of the Poison Ivy Rock and other SP members. Biked around the park and down the Ice Age Trail. First visit to the park despite living in Wisconsin my entire life. Met up with George (Alpinist)and others from the Chicago Mountaineering Club in the evening and had a nice visit discussing mountains and Summitpost. Will definitely be returning to this park.
woodsxc - Nov 22, 2008 3:58 pm
Hike and climbDid my first legitimate climbing there. Great stuff. Devil's Lake also has some of the best hiking in the area. I've been there in summer and fall and it's always gorgeous.
outofstep80 - Mar 12, 2008 6:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2006
east and west rampartGreat climbing spread out over a large area. Easy to avoid people if you desire.
Stu Brandel - Dec 15, 2007 3:50 pm Date Climbed: Dec 31, 2011
Best Hiking within 4 hours of ChicagoWithin 4 hours driving distance of Chicago, the best hiking (other contenders: Starved Rock, Indiana Dunes). Avoid weekends if you can or come fall/winter. In a cold, foggy December day I felt like I had the park to myself, did a 16 mile loop from Parfrey's Glen to the east bluff and back, virtually all park or forest.
breagen - Dec 2, 2007 10:12 pm
fun on quartzite!lots of fun, lots of routes!
Alpinist - Oct 22, 2007 9:24 pm Date Climbed: Oct 20, 2007
Vulture LookoutClimbed several routes at Vulture Lookout as part of CMC outing. Route numbers below are referenced from Sven Olof Swartling's 2nd edition guidebook.
- #1 Missing Piece 5.7
- #4 5.7 Crack
- #13 Harder by the Climber 5.6
- #16 Inside Corner 5.6
- #19 Inside corner 5.6
It was a beautiful fall day!
stinkycheezman33 - Aug 21, 2007 10:36 am
wonderful placegood times...
utes - Aug 1, 2007 7:30 pm Date Climbed: Nov 7, 1993
first real rock climbMy first experience rock climbing- set my goals for more then and there. Completed this in the winter as a team building exercise- great adventure.
trekker - Jul 23, 2007 3:24 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2007
Bluff and Lake CircuitFour of us left North Shore area and went up East Bluff trail, visited the doorway, descended Balanced Rock Trail. From there we hugged the lakeshore around to Tumbled Rocks trail to take us back. A great hike, almost 5 miles.
mlbcard - May 12, 2007 10:41 pm
Too many peopleGoing there on a weekday is much nicer (or early in the morning).