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

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 6, 2023
No Prerequisites
1 participant 1 instructor
Registration closed Mar 2
Kitsap Branch

Stewardship Credit - McCleary Cliffs

Stewardship Field trip: Basic Climbing Course
Clean rock climbing routes
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Sat, May 6, 2023
No Prerequisites
16 participants 10 instructors
Canceled
Kitsap Branch

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 7, 2023
No Prerequisites
0 participants 1 instructor
Registration closed Mar 3
Kitsap Branch

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 20, 2023
No Prerequisites
1 participant 0 instructors
Registration closes May 18
Kitsap Branch

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 21, 2023
No Prerequisites
0 participants 1 instructor
Registration closes May 19
Kitsap Branch

Activity 12 - Basic Rock 1 - McCleary Cliffs

Climbing Field trip: Basic Climbing Course
This activity will cover basic rock climbing.
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Sat, Jun 3, 2023
No Prerequisites
0 participants 0 instructors
Registration closes Jun 1
Kitsap Branch

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
Difficulty: Moderate
Sat, Jun 3, 2023
No Prerequisites
15 participants 4 instructors
Registration closes Jun 1
Olympia Branch

Activity 12 - Basic Rock 1 - McCleary Cliffs

Climbing Field trip: Basic Climbing Course
Basic Rock 1 Field Trip
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Sun, Jun 4, 2023
No Prerequisites
1 participant 2 instructors
Registration closes Jun 2
Kitsap Branch

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

Climbing Field trip: Basic Climbing Course
Basic Rock 2 FT (exam)
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Sat, Jun 10, 2023
No Prerequisites
1 participant 0 instructors
Registration closes Jun 8
Kitsap Branch

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

Climbing Field trip: Basic Climbing Course
Basic Rock 2 FT (exam)
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Sun, Jun 11, 2023
No Prerequisites
0 participants 0 instructors
Registration closes Jun 9
Kitsap Branch

Activity 14 (2023) Rock Module Practical - McCleary Cliffs

Climbing Field trip: Basic Climbing Course
Rock Module make-up if necessary
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Sat, Jun 24, 2023
No Prerequisites
1 participant 1 instructor
Registration closes Jun 15
Kitsap Branch

Activity 14 (2023) Rock Module Practical - McCleary Cliffs

Climbing Field trip: Basic Climbing Course
Rock Module Make-up
Difficulty: Crag Rock Climb
Sun, Jun 25, 2023
No Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
0 participants 1 instructor
Registration closes Jun 23
Kitsap Branch
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

There are no resources for this route/place. Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.