Perched majestically along the eastern shore of the Sandy River is a rock climbing paradise that has provided years of enjoyment for all who visit. This very unusual steep walled crag, with its close proximity to the city of Portland, is one of the best local crags to offer an excellent variety of climbing opportunities for every rock climber.
Broughton Bluff offers great rock climbs on an extensive and secluded 160' high series of cliffs on State Park land. This excellent year-round rock climbing crag provides individuals of all ages the opportunity to explore the intriguing facets of rock climbing.
Broughton is a great place to learn new climbing skills, to develop physical strength, to challenge your ability to persevere, and even excel beyond your climbing dream, all through the enjoyment of climbing.
We have detailed seven of the most popular walls at Broughton that offer the greatest variety of free climbing opportunities. If you plan to venture south of the Bat Wall the access trail is a bit less traveled (though work parties have steadily improved much of it). The Jungle Cliff has experienced a re-awakening as locals developed the next generation of bolted power lines.
If you plan to top out from a rock climb on either the North Face or the Hanging Gardens Wall the best option for a scrambling descent is down a third-class ridge crest between these two cliff formations. Most of the rock climbs at Broughton do have excellent established belay anchors from which you can rappel back down to the ground near your original starting point without actually topping out on the climb. A rescue gurney is located at the base of the Red Wall for emergency rescue use.
If you are driving out to Broughton Bluff from the city center of Portland, drive east on I-84 toward the town of Troutdale. Continue on the Interstate freeway until you cross the Sandy River, and then take exit #18 onto the old scenic highway. This is a popular scenic river road that curves south along the river before heading east through Corbett. At exit #18 drive south a very short distance until you cross under a railroad train trestle that spans the Sandy River. Just beyond on your left (east side of the road and river) is the Lewis and Clark state park. Here is a Road/Trail Map.
From the parking lot at the Lewis & Clark state park, walk south along a gravel path to the base of the steep hillside, then up the climber maintained zigzag path. This trail angles around onto the south slope then continues up to meet the cliff base near the south edge of the Hanging Gardens Wall. The trail to the right quickly leads to the Red Wall, while the left path meanders along the base of Hanging Gardens Wall, and then around the corner further to the North Face.
