A Session in Sinks Canyon

Last Thursday we did some bouldering in Sinks Canyon State Park. It was a nice break after a couple days spent looking at houses. Sinks is just outside of Lander, close enough for after school sessions, so I'm sure we'll be spending a lot of time there. It has sandstone, dolomite, and granite bouldering. Ashley prefers the dolomite. I like the granite. Hopefully we'll be able to work out a compromise. On this day, the warm sunny weather determined our destination. The Cabin Boulders are shaded in the woods and we had a cool breeze so conditions were perfect.

Ashley warming up on the "Jehova Cabana" boulder.

The hike is quite short. Kendal made it.

We did a bunch of moderates, and then got to work on "Mo's Traverse." It seems a bit height dependent, doable for short people, but really difficult. We have our first project.
Ashley on a moderate section of "Mo's Traverse."

The granite in Sinks feels and climbs just like the good granite bouldering in Poudre Canyon, although most Cabin Boulder problems are shorter, and not as steep. Very fun problems that I wish were just a little taller.

Ashley flashing "West Face" on the Hillside Boulder. Crimps to a sloper top-out. It took me three tries to stick the slopers.

Looking across the canyon, and up the hillside into the forest I could make out a talus field of large blocks, and a few large isolated blocks in the trees. Maybe they've been developed, but are not in the guide yet. Maybe they still need to be cleaned up and climbed. Either way it looks like I'll have plenty of boulders to keep me busy. The Cabin Boulders are just the tip of the bouldering potential in Sinks, and Sinks is just one of many climbing areas with boulders near Lander.

One thing I find refreshing about the Lander area is the lack of fees. Around Ft. Collins, I've grown accustomed to buying a sixty dollar pass so we can visit Horsetooth and Carter whenever we want. Spending six bucks whenever we go to Lory or Eldorado State parks. Two, ten dollar habitat stamps to visit the 420's. Thirty-five dollars for our annual RMNP pass. Five dollars each time we drive into main Vedauwoo. I'm all for money going to public lands, but I wonder how much money is really left over for essential services after paying rangers to collect and enforce the fees. In Sinks Canyon State Park, campsites have fees, but hiking and climbing are free. You can camp for free in Lander City Park for three consecutive nights. Free camping in town! Good luck finding that in Ft. Collins.

Camping in Lander City Park.