The Graveyard Boulders

To get to the Graveyard Boulders from Gunni you drive up to Almont and take a right into Taylor Canyon. Drive past first and second buttress to mile marker 10 (or just look across the river for the Coffin Cracks), park at the lot on the right before the cabin. Now comes the fun part… to get to the boulders you walk about 30-40m upriver, strip down to your undies, hike the crashpads as high up on you back as they can go and walk across the river. “Walk” is slightly misleading, more like “struggle to stay standing in waist deep, fast moving water”.

Will and Roy crossing the Taylor (Photo: A. Newell)

After surviving the river, head down stream about 200m and the first boulder you’ll probably notice is the looming Fuzzy Bottom Boulder right off of the trail. The 20ft. super crimpy line up the center of the boulder is the classic face climbing test-piece, Flatline (V8), established by local Taylor Canyon resident Duffy Hutchins. One of the best moderates ever is on the same boulder just around to the right; Canine Levitation (V2) sit starts on a nice angled rail and makes some awesome moves to an easy top out. Next you can test your mettle against the arête climb to the left of Flatline, called, Like a Boss(V2). This climb boasts a much spicier topout than Canine Levitation. If you cruise “Like a Boss” then you can truly test your mental game on the newly established Murderball (V5) on the crimpy face just leftof Canine Levitation, but make sure you’ve got a lot of pads because a fall off the crux could really ruin your season.

Caleb on the 2nd ascent of Murderball V5 (Photo: W. Anglin)

If you crossed the river for more moderate problems then you can head up the hill and get some burns in on the Umbrella Boulder with the lowballs Pimp Smack (V4-5) and Mary Poppins (V4). You could also sneak through a hole to the right and try the powerful and technical, Flightless Bird (V5).

Aaron sending Flightless Bird (Photo: W. Anglin)

Think you’re good at crimps…then wander back upriver to check out Will Anglin’s recently established, Stigmata (V12?).

Even if you’re not going to try the problem, just feeling the holds will be a humbling experience. Overall, The Graveyard Boulders are home to some of the best boulder problems in the valley, and there is still a ton of development to be done. For more information, check out: www.mountainproject.com.

- Aaron Newell