Hike-in Required
No
ADA accessible
No
Guided tours
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The Happy Boulders are nestled in a small canyon above the Owens River Valley. This is a world-class volcanic bouldering area with hundreds of routes. The wind-protected canyon is a great place to escape the colder winter weather at the nearby exposed Buttermilks, below the Eastern Sierra. The volcanic Bishop tuff rock appears to be chossy, though it proves to be very sturdy. There are crimpy faces, loads of finger pockets, juggy overhangs, low traverses, cracks of all ranges, and more. From steep highballs to pumpy beginner grade climbs, Happy Boulders provides routes for everyone.

The nearby Owens River provides climbers with a place to cool off during the hot summer months or to get some fly fishing in between climbs. Camping is available at nearby Pleasant Valley Campground or the BLM Pleasant Valley Pit Campground that is popular among climbers. The Happy Boulders tend to be fairly quiet, giving climbers a lot of room to spread out and work several of the hundreds of routes here. No matter what you are looking for in a bouldering route, Happy Boulders has something for you, and you will surely be back for more.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Owens River and Pleasant Valley nearby. Great tuff bouldering.

Cons

No amenities.

Pets allowed

Allowed

Features

Geologically significant

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Comments

04/28/2016
Such great views here.
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