Smith Rock State Park is 25 miles north of Bend and 30 miles east of Sisters on Highway 97. The 641-acre park features dramatic rock cliffs overlooking the scenic Crooked River. These rock formations have become a favorite rock climbing destination for climbers worldwide.
When you arrive at Smith Rock State Park, park at the top of the Crooked River Canyon. Looking down you’ll see the majestic Crooked River winding peacefully below the sharp cliffs. After paying a small day use fee you can start down the trail to the river.
When you get to the bottom you’ll cross a foot bridge to the cliff side of the river. There you can choose to follow a trail straight up the cliff or another trail that winds along the river to the left at the base of the cliffs. Either way, you will be going to the top of Misery Ridge. And no matter which trail you choose you are sure to see rock climbers. Smith Rock State Park, with its hundreds of climbing routes, is an international destination for rock climbers. Fitted with climbing harnesses, long lengths of rope and other hardware, they tackle the park's almost 1,000 technical climbing routes like so many flies on a wall.
If you follow the trail around the cliffs for about a mile and a half you will have the best view of Monkey Face. At 350 feet tall, the Monkey Face monolith is by far the most famous of the climbing routes in the park. You’ll see that the top of the pillar does resemble the face of a monkey!
Once you reach the summit of Misery Ridge, take a break on the Justin Anthony Colonna Bench. 18 steps up the trail at 60 degrees is a juniper tree with a rock ledge on it’s southeastern side. Check here for your Monkey Face Letterbox!
To email me with comments or questions about a letterbox: samanark@yahoo.com
To Return to Amanda's Clues Page Click HERE
To Return to the LBNA Map