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May 1 marks the end of the annual winter closure of the area that South Park sits in.

Just a reminder to those who haven’t climbed there yet to be on guard when belaying or hanging out at the base (do not stand beneath someone climbing!). This place is a full on choss pile and rock comes flying off time to time. Bring bug spray in the heat of mosquito season too. That being said, it is a killer place to get some pump on and to experience a completely different style of sport climbing. Like Dean said, “if you’re on a crimp, you’re probably off route”.

Getting there: Drive past Heise Rock and take the next right on the road (before the cattleguard) to Kelly Island Campground and Stinking Springs trailhead and drive for about 3 miles. There is very limited parking right in front of the crag and may be best to continue past the wall and park at the big pullout on the left. A very faint trail opening is located about 50 yards pass the limited parking spot.

Here’s a guide to the routes as of April 2010. Ratings are very suggestive!

1. Big Gay Al – .11b/c

2. Who Killed Kenny – .10d/.11a

3. Project

4. Scary Rattlesnake – .11b/c

5. Smug Alert – .10c/d

6. Cartman – .11b/c

7. Hippy Digger – .12b/c

8. Make Love Not Warcraft – .12a/b

(next 3 routes are by the trees)

9. Mr. Hankey – .12a/b

10. Scuzzlebutt – .11a/b

11. Chef’s Meatballs – .10d/.11a

The BLM office this morning confirmed that the Stinking Spring closure near Heise/Kelly Canyon affects the South Park area as well. Basically, anything on the north side of the river road, (the left side if you’re driving upstream), is closed to human activity until April 30. The boundary starts at the Stinking Springs trailhead and ends at the junction of FS 218, the road up to Table Rock Campground. The closure started on Monday, Dec. 1.

The BLM states:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Upper Snake Field Office reminds the public that the Stinking Springs area near the popular South Fork of the Snake River will be closed to all motorized vehicles and human entry beginning December 1. The closure is scheduled to remain in effect through April 30, 2009, depending on weather conditions.

Increasing human activity in the Stinking Springs area is creating additional stress on the fragile mule deer population that winter in the area, requiring them to use up their supply of stored winter fat more quickly than normal. “We appreciate the public’s help in staying away from the closure area to help protect these sensitive animals,” said Monica Zimmerman, BLM Upper Snake Outdoor Recreation Planner.

The closure applies to other BLM lands in the vicinity of Stinking Springs and the U.S. Forest Service winter closures on National Forest lands.  It is advisable to check with agency offices before planning travel on these lands.

For more information, please contact Monica Zimmerman or Wendy Reynolds at the BLM Upper Snake Field Office at 208-524-7500.

Help spread the word and please be respectful of this closure as it is set up to help the struggling mule deer population in the area.

A while back our very own Dean Lords filled us in on a new area in the Upper Valley. The area has been given the name South Park as a little play on the fact that it is along the South Fork of the Snake River.

Heather Lords working her route at South Park Idaho

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