Exfoliation Dome — Blueberry Buttress
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Blueberry Buttress is the classic line up the West Buttress of Exfoliation Dome — 7 pitches, ~1,000 ft, Grade III low-angle granite cracks/flakes/slab, across Clear Creek from Three O'Clock Rock. The 5.8+ number is friendly but it's pure Darrington: 20-30 ft slab runouts are normal, some loose rock, and a slip means a sliding fall — climbs more like 5.8 R. A committing weekend alpine day; the Granite Sidewalk approach/descent is a serious slab in its own right and the zone is cell-dead.
🚗 Getting there & comms
Trailhead: FR 2060/2065 (Blueberry Hill Rd) washout pullout
From Darrington's four-way, S on Mountain Loop Hwy ~2.9 mi; before Clear Creek CG, right on FR 2060; at ~mi 5.5 fork left onto FR 2065; ~2 mi past the first washout, park ~50 ft past the second drainage. Check road status.
⛽ Last services: Darrington (gas, groceries). NO services / no signal once on the Mountain Loop Hwy.
📶 Cell signal: None at TH or on the dome — carry a satellite messenger.
🧗 Routes
🥾 Approach · descent · season
Approach: From the FR 2065 second-washout pullout, hike the drainage onto the 'Granite Sidewalk' — a ~20-degree, ~1,500 ft granite slab to the dome base; climbing begins where the ridge steepens. ~1-1.5 hr. Dangerous wet/mossy/snowy.
⬇️ Descent: Climb to Blueberry Terrace, then rappel off slung trees toward the West Slabs + down the bolted West Slabs chains. Two 60m ropes. Do NOT rap the climbed line.
🗓️ Season: Summer-early fall (late June-Oct) when dry. Unsafe wet.
🎒 Gear & food
Rack: Trad to 4" (a #4, optional #5) + long slings. Helmet mandatory (loose rock). Sticky approach shoes for the Sidewalk.
Ropes: Double 60m (West Slabs rappel).
✅ Before you leave the trailhead
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🏕️ Land · camp · water · permits
🪧 Land & passes: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie NF (Darrington RD).
📋 Permits: NW Forest Pass to park.
⚠️ Hazards · fire · emergency
- SANDBAG/RUNOUT — effectively 5.8 R, a fall slides. Granite Sidewalk (1,500 ft slab) lethal if wet/mossy/snowy.
- Loose/unstable rock (helmet)
- Wet rock raises slab-fall risk
- Routefinding on featureless slab
- No cell — self-rescue
- Rappel the West Slabs (NOT the route)
🆘 Emergency contacts
- Emergency (SAR via 911) 911 — No coverage — descend/drive toward Darrington for signal
- Cascade Valley Hospital ER, Arlington 360-435-2133 — Nearest 24/7 ER, ~1 hr W
🌤️ Live conditions
Auto-updated 20h ago · °F · tap a link for the mountain-specific picture ↓
👀 In the field
Tap any for ID, edibility & first-aid.
📍 Nearby & other interest
- Three O'Clock Rock — Silent Running & Total Soul
- Exfoliation Dome — Westward Ho / West Slabs
- Dark Rhythm (5.10c)
- Squire Creek Wall
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