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All the United States Idaho Boise The Black Cliffs

The Black Cliffs

These black pillars of volcanic basalt seem to call mountain climbers with an unbreakable siren song.

Boise, Idaho

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cait8lin
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The Black Cliffs   cait8lin / Atlas Obscura User
The Black Cliffs   cait8lin / Atlas Obscura User
View of the Boise River from the top of the Black Cliffs   Caitlin Fellows
The Black Cliffs   PatrickFackrell on LocalWiki
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About

The Black Cliffs in Boise, Idaho are a range of towering columns of lava rock stretching up into the blue sky, providing a gorgeous view of the river below, and an ideal spot for adventurous climbers. The Black Cliffs along the Boise River leading to Lucky Peak Reservoir are a popular place for rock climbing in the Treasure Valley of Idaho. Made of volcanic columnar basalt, the cliffs provide ideal handholds and footholds that seem to have been created to cater to climbers. In the 1960s, local climbers began exploring and developing the cliffs. While training for alpine ascents, they proved that the rocks there could be scrambled up safely. In the 1970s, a new group of locals began climbing at the Black Cliffs, establishing routes that at the time were seen as a challenging bit of climbery. Today, there are hundreds of well-established routes of a variety of difficulties for climbers to enjoy. Its not often that an ancient volcano belches up such perfect formations, and combined with the angular black beauty of the rocks, it's no wonder you can't keep climbers off them. 

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Rocks Geology Cliffs

Community Contributors

Added By

cait8lin

Edited By

jesselynmb, EricGrundhauser, Collector of Experiences

  • jesselynmb
  • EricGrundhauser
  • Collector of Experiences

Published

May 15, 2015

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  • https://localwiki.org/boise/The_Black_Cliffs
The Black Cliffs
Highway 21
Boise, Idaho, 83716
United States
43.539038, -116.092882
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Old Idaho State Penitentiary

Boise, Idaho

miles away

Albertsons Stadium

Boise, Idaho

miles away

The Basque Block

Boise, Idaho

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Boise

Boise

Idaho

Places 8
Stories 2

Nearby Places

Old Idaho State Penitentiary

Boise, Idaho

miles away

Albertsons Stadium

Boise, Idaho

miles away

The Basque Block

Boise, Idaho

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Boise

Boise

Idaho

Places 8
Stories 2

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