For cultured campers and ambitious boulderers, California’s Buttermilk Country is the cream of the crop. With jaw-dropping views and some of the world’s most impressive lines, the Western hotspot locally known as the Buttermilks offers year-round outdoor recreation and spots for hiking, biking, and free wild camping. The Buttermilk Recreation Area resides just 13 miles west of Bishop, California, on the Eastern side of the Sierra Nevada in Inyo County, a place also home to Death Valley National Park and some of the highest and lowest points in the continental U.S.
Why is it called “the Buttermilks”? Local legend claims dairy trucks once traveling down the bumpy Buttermilk Road churned fresh milk into buttermilk on the way to Bishop. Though the days of truck-churned buttermilk are in Inyo County’s past, the Buttermilks’ legacy remains. Whether you’re looking for the best autumn views in California or a notably picturesque bouldering spot for your next summer vacation, the Buttermilks are an outdoor recreation hotspot for every season and every kind of outdoor adventurer.
Go bouldering in Buttermilk Country
Two and a half million years ago, glaciers deposited sporadic, gargantuan boulders known as glacial erratics from the Sierra Nevada across the desert landscape of Buttermilk Country. Today, these boulders still reside in front of the beautiful mountain range from which they once traveled, making the scenic spot a boulderer’s paradise.
Though the Buttermilks’ weather is enjoyable year-round, if you stop by in the summer or winter, you might even see some Round Valley mule deer. No matter when you go, bring some chalk to absorb moisture on your palms and a crash pad to ease any falls. And if your hands aren’t quite calloused yet, make sure to pack some climbing tape. The quartz monzonite boulders can be sharp, tearing up climbers’ hands quickly if they aren’t prepared.
If you’re not the most experienced boulderer, or just need an active rest day, don’t fret. From the V0 Hero Roof to the V9 Soul Slinger, there are climbs at every level. Just keep in mind that the Buttermilks boulders are not your average climb, and a novice boulder in the Buttermilks can trip up even experienced climbers. For an easier climbing experience, some Buttermilks climbers have taken up cragging, or climbing on more accessible formations, for a less-strenuous experience. Just don’t get too distracted by the incredible views and forget to look where you’re climbing.
Beyond bouldering: Wild camping, mountain biking, and more
