McCleary Cliffs

Named for Mountaineer Mac McCleary, this is a crag area on the north side of Lake Cushman on the Olympic Penninsula. It is home to a number of 5.6-5.12 bolted sport routes, but few trad routes. This is a growing area with new routes put up every year. It's great for a day of rock climbing with friends or learning how to rock climb.

Getting there

From US 101 turn west onto SR 119 (aka N Lake Cushman Rd) and drive 9.3 miles to a "T" intersection. Turn left onto Forest Road 24 and continue ~4 miles to parking on the left (south) side of the road (800 ft).

Information for Leaders

Scheduling & Permits

While this area does not currently have any permit requirements or restrictions, it is up to us to make sure we are being good land stewards and setting the standard for others to follow. Please keep group sizes to 15 total people and the number of Mountaineers groups to 3 per day.  

Contact your climbing committee chair, if you have questions or need more information.

  • Suitable Activities: Climbing
  • Climbing Category: Rock Climb
  • Seasons: Year-round
  • Weather: View weather forecast
  • Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Map
  • Green Trails Mt Tebo No. 199
  • Custom Correct Mount Skokomish - Lake Cushman
  • Green Trails Olympic Mountains East No. 168S
  • Trails Illustrated Olympic National Park
Activities

Upcoming Activities

Stewardship - McCleary Cliffs

Stewardship Trip
Establish a new climbing route.
Difficulty: Basic Alpine Climb
Sun, Oct 8, 2023
No Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
0 participants 0 leaders
Registration closes Oct 6
Kitsap Branch
Ed Lucas

Junior Mac Rock Climb Weekend Trips - McCleary Cliffs

Youth Youth activity: Junior MAC - Olympia
Weekend trips for Jr MAC youth and their families to get out, practice their climbing
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Sun, Oct 22, 2023
No Prerequisites
11 participants 12 chaperones
Registration closes Oct 20
Olympia Branch
Claire Edwards
Qualified Youth Leader

Intermediate Rock Climbing Field Trip - McCleary Cliffs

Climbing Field trip: Leading on Rock Course
A field trip to a cragging location suitable for practicing single or multi-pitch lead climbing
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Sat, Mar 16, 2024
Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
0 participants 2 instructors
Registration closes Mar 14
Kitsap Branch
Ryan Vancil

Rock Scrambling Field Trip - McCleary Cliffs

Scrambling Field trip: Alpine Scrambling Course
Rock Scrambling Field Trip to practice and evaluate student techniques on rock, scree and boulder
Sat, Apr 13, 2024
No Prerequisites
20 participants 10 instructors
Registration closes Apr 11
Olympia Branch
Ron Jones

Activity 10 (2023) Belay, Rappel, and Ascending a Rope Skills Training - McCleary Cliffs

Climbing Field trip: Basic Climbing Course
Belay, Rappel, and Ascending a Rope instruction and practice.
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Sat, May 4, 2024
Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
7 participants 6 instructors
Registration closes Jan 26
Kitsap Branch
Ed Lucas

Activity 10 (2023) Belay, Rappel, and Ascending a Rope Skills Training - McCleary Cliffs

Climbing Field trip: Basic Climbing Course
Belay, Rappel, and Ascending a Rope instruction and practice.
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Sun, May 5, 2024
Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
8 participants 6 instructors
Registration opens Oct 1; Instructor registration open now
Kitsap Branch
Ed Lucas

Activity 11 - Rock Climbing Technique and Belay Escape - McCleary Cliffs

Climbing Field trip: Basic Climbing Course
This activity will cover basic rock climbing.
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Sat, May 18, 2024
No Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
3 participants 6 instructors
Registration closes Jan 26
Kitsap Branch
Ed Lucas

Activity 11 - Rock Climbing Technique and Belay Escape - McCleary Cliffs

Climbing Field trip: Basic Climbing Course
This activity will cover basic rock climbing.
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Sun, May 19, 2024
No Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
8 participants 6 instructors
Registration opens Oct 1; Instructor registration open now
Kitsap Branch
Ed Lucas

Activity 12 - Basic Rock 1 - McCleary Cliffs

Climbing Field trip: Basic Climbing Course
Basic Rock 1 Field Trip
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Sat, Jun 1, 2024
No Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
3 participants 6 instructors
Registration closes Jan 26
Kitsap Branch
Ed Lucas

Activity 12 - Basic Rock 1 - McCleary Cliffs

Climbing Field trip: Basic Climbing Course
Basic Rock 1 Field Trip
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Sun, Jun 2, 2024
No Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
8 participants 6 instructors
Registration opens Oct 1; Instructor registration open now
Kitsap Branch
Ed Lucas

Activity 13 - Basic Rock 2 (exam) - McCleary Cliffs

Climbing Field trip: Basic Climbing Course
Basic Rock 2 FT
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Sat, Jun 8, 2024
No Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
3 participants 6 instructors
Registration closes Jan 26
Kitsap Branch
Ed Lucas

Activity 13 - Basic Rock 2 (exam) - McCleary Cliffs

Climbing Field trip: Basic Climbing Course
Basic Rock 2 FT
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Sun, Jun 9, 2024
No Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
8 participants 5 instructors
Registration opens Oct 1; Instructor registration open now
Kitsap Branch
Ed Lucas

Activity 14 (2023) Rock Module Practical - McCleary Cliffs

Climbing Field trip: Basic Climbing Course
Rock Module Practical
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Sat, Jun 22, 2024
Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
7 participants 6 instructors
Registration closes Jan 26
Kitsap Branch
Ed Lucas

Activity 14 (2023) Rock Module Practical - McCleary Cliffs

Climbing Field trip: Basic Climbing Course
Rock Module Practical
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Sun, Jun 23, 2024
Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
8 participants 6 instructors
Registration opens Oct 1; Instructor registration open now
Kitsap Branch
Ed Lucas
Trip Reports
Titles

This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.

  • Cushman Cliffs
  • Lake Cushman Crags
Resources

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