Climbing at Thinking Spot

The thinking spot isn't a secret spot but it will seem like it when you arrive at an empty crag with dozens of routes all to yourself. There are climbs ranging from 5.7 to 5.11 so there's something for most. Though directions to get to the crag exist on Mountain project, there is practically no beta on the routes and there is no climbing book with info about it yet which means you'll have to onsight all the routes. Most climbs are sport bolted but there are some mixed routes too so scout out the anchors before climbing.  You'll get great views of the lake and surrounding forests and mountains from the wall. There's shade in the morning but sun after noon.

When you arrive you'll see the obvious pointed rock face. There'll be "no parking beyond this sign" posted right by the trailhead but you can park right before those signs. The obvious trailhead is right by a marsh on the left.  Scramble up the large boulders to the wall straight on front of you, this will only take 5-10 minutes. 

The furthest right routes are the harder. The furthest left route on the rightmost face is a 5.9 route that was super fun. The next route over climbs up a difficult rock thats has large, wide cracks on both sides, then the next three routes left are all easy 5.7-5.9 and have low anchors (about 40-50 feet). Note that if you go to the top of the rock on the further right routes than you'll have to walk off or do a double rope rappel.  Like I said, there isn't really any beta yet on the routes so you have to onsight them.  Ask the locals at Gravity Sports in town for more beta on the area, they might be able to help you find specific routes. 

If you're staying in the area, camp at Ponderosa State Park and swim in Payette Lake.

Grab coffee at Mountain Java before and quench you post-climb hunger and thirst at My Father's Place (burgers) or Salmon River Brewery.

PS not my photo