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Dawson Bluffs (Climbing)

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About Dawson Bluffs (Climbing):

Dawson Bluffs

Join the Hunter's Bluff Climbing Community at www.le-mank.com

Dawson Bluffs (aka Hunter's Bluff, Jones-Kenney, Pumpkin Center, Pennyrile Cliffs) is partially state owned and partially private. The routes run from 30ft to 120ft. Though this area is not a large crag, it has some of the finest cracks in the midwest and bosts potential for more sport routes and bouldering.

The more popular routes are Thurmonuclear's Crack (5.13a) which hasn't seen a second ascent and was voted the 10th best roof crack in the United States by Tim Toula, not to mention Tips and Toes (5.12a) a classic trad line, and the popular Green Monster (5.9).

CAMPING: Most people camp at Camp 4 overhang . It supplies a bueatiful view plus blocks wind from the East. You can haul your gear up via the belay anchors atop the ledge. You can also camp on top of the main cliff. The view is spectacular. It is prefered that you keep your fire limited to a fire ring that already exsists... and keep in mind that it is against the law to burn your fire ontop of the rock.

Nearest town or city: Dawson Springs
Directions: From Dawson Springs head West on HWY 62. 5 miles outside Dawson Springs you will come to a bridge just after the shooting range on your left, (it is your second bridge). There is a small gravel pull-off on the left side of the road (east bound lane) with enough room for about 5 vehicles.

The trail starts there and can get pretty muddy from the rain so bring proper foot wear. To get to climbs go straight up trail and then stay right on the trail when coming to a fork at the top of the small hill. Walk 1/2 mile until you see the bluffs. Keep walking along the log trail until it starts to run out...just before you reach the cave at the end of the trail you will notice a huge boulder to your left and a highly pocketed boulder to the right of that. The one on the left is Zion Boulder and the one on the right is Reggae Rock.

Latitude, Longitude:
Access Issues: Land at bottom of bluffs is private. Please pack out what you pack in! There are teens that party there and it would help to clean up after them as well (as much as we don't want to).
Camping: Yes
When to Climb:
Quantity of Climbs: Week

Most Recent Photos (See all 19 photos)

the great roof
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Forum Discussions (See all 17 posts )

  Subject Author Replies Last Post
With Replies Bluffs lately? cstin0416 1 Mar 14 2014, 4:22 AM
No Replies Climbing tomorrow JacobM 0 Nov 25 2012, 12:37 AM
No Replies Will belay for soft catch JacobM 0 Nov 24 2012, 4:37 PM
With Replies climbing club or group for Hunters Bluff??? erborrego 4 Jan 02 2013, 9:02 PM
With Replies new area kalen666 4 Jan 09 2013, 7:12 PM
No Replies Trail Day kalen666 0 Jan 13 2012, 2:49 AM
No Replies New Facebook page for Hopkins County Climbers ma_shphrd 0 Apr 30 2011, 2:41 AM
With Replies Crag cleanup and climbing 19-21 Feb 2011 DavidArlaud 1 Mar 16 2011, 7:03 PM
With Replies Dawson Bluffs Guidebook DavidArlaud 2 Jan 08 2011, 11:31 PM
No Replies Crag Clean Up! JacobM 0 Aug 13 2010, 3:44 AM
With Replies Camping at Pennyrile forest State park lonegreeneagle 7 Feb 12 2010, 1:28 AM
With Replies Any Dawson Bluffs Climbers? DavidArlaud 6 Jan 08 2011, 11:16 PM
With Replies Thurmonuclear dubforceone 2 Aug 30 2010, 5:34 PM
With Replies Anybody been to Hunter's Bluff dubforceone 2 Jan 04 2008, 1:28 PM
No Replies Hunter's Bluff Trail Day andy_lemon 0 Oct 26 2004, 3:52 PM