Castle Rocks

Last year we went on family vacation to City of Rocks, ID and spent a few days bouldering at Castle Rocks while we were there. We were inspired by the boulders and decided to go back for part of our road trip this year. It's an awesome place! It was also a very toasty warm place this year! We weren't quite able to wrap things up the way we had hoped because it was just so hot, but at least it's an excuse to make the trip back! We discovered the most delicious diner we've ever experienced in Albian, so there's another great reason we won't be sad to go back! My mouth is watering just thinking about it...

We camped in the City of Rocks campground the first few days of the week then moved to the free BLM camping for a few days. I think next time we'll stick to the campground even though it costs more. Their outhouses were amazingly clean and the road was significantly better!

Not only is the landscape beautiful, the area also has a lot of interesting historical significance. Thousands of pioneers camped and traveled through the area on their way west. The rock pictured above (Camp Rock) is a huge boulder where many pioneers "registered" their names as they passed through using axle grease. The guidebook also says there are wagon ruts in some areas, but we weren't sure where they are so we didn't get to see them.

Casey and Tommy finished off the trip working on The Smell. The conditions were finally windy and a little more cool, but our skin was wrecked from the granite!

Matt and Tommy joined us Friday and Saturday.

Tommy working out the moves on Golden Chandelier.

Our campsite was near the Twin Sisters (pictured below). The website for reserving campsites was very vague so we ended up having a site with a 320' walk-in. The privacy was nice but it was an extra adventure hauling our stuff up and back.

A lot of the undeveloped rock is kind of chossy, but there is definitely room for more development. We found this cool boulder at the City of Rocks just down the path from a bathroom. It doesn't look like it's been cleaned yet, but it looks like it could definitely have some quality climbs!

I'm a big fan of wildflowers.

I got really close on Waxie's Darble. Wish it was closer to home!

Our City of Rocks campsite. Don't ask how many times I hit my head on that overhang above the table. :)