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I was thinking about heading out to the So. Ill. boulders in a couple of weeks, but I have never been and I have also never been to HP40 so i am torn. I know HP40 is great but it is farther away and I am starved for time. Anybody been to these large rocks in Illinois?? comments......

HP is bad ass, but they don't allow dogs at all and you need to be aware of that before you and Fido are sent packing. So Ill's is supposed to be good, but I haven't been there, Stewy911 has. My buddy Ox climbed for years in So. Ill, I'll tell him to post something for you. As I understand there's trad, sport and bouldering.

Go wherever the weather is best. HP is a nice winter destination; don't know about the other seasons.

I went to Jackson Falls, Illinois a couple of weeks ago. It was great, we ran into a guy who had a guide book of the area and he climb with us and showed us around. Dr. Topo has guides to this area, and there is a guide book that you can buy online that is very informative. Google: Jackson Falls, Illinois and you will find lots of information. We spent three days there (Derby Weekend) and sport climbed the entire time (plenty of routes left to do for many more trips in the future). You can find the guide book is called Vertical Heartland by Eric Ulner and can be purchased at: http://www.verticalheartland.com/ Also check out: http://www.rockclimbing.com/routes/list ... AreaID=410 Enjoy!

I'd recommend HP40 for the sloper action although the friction might not be ideal at this time. So Ill is pretty cool too, but the quality problems are spread out and it is probably better to have a local show you around.

HP40 is sooo worth the drive!!!

Jackson falls is okay - like the routes in the red better. very good rock quality though. im jus' prejudiced i guess.

if you don't have a local to show you around in So Ill you are likely going to be dissapointed at least we were for the most part. The stuff on dr topo is ok but as mentioned the good stuff is very spread out.

i thought it was killer...good textured sandstone...high quality rock...almost harder than the Red...bouldery routes...packs a lot of bang into 40/50 feet...

Your impression of so ill is seems i bit inaccurate, because you called it the "boulders" Thats what a friend of mine said when we first got to jackson..."i thought it was going to just be some boulders chillin in the woods" he said. Its cragging, bring your rope as well as your pad, youre going to see stuff you like, believe me. "here come the snakes" is a must try classic! hard, bouldery, stays dry in a downpour, as with most of the sport climbing there. And it is the rainy season. The holy boulders are sick...all bouldering there so far (dave c's been putting up routes, but with a pad as pro) but id suggest finding someone familiar with the area for the holy boulders, as it doesnt see much traffic and most moderates dont have any chalk or trails leading to them, you kind of cut across forest and trust your walking in the right direction...especially now with all the foliage. Jackson is laid out fantastically for new climbers to the area though...moderates in plain sight, and loads of hard stuff to tweak on as well! camping scene there is also really chill. Holy boulders camping allowed but is small and next to the road, gets a little lonely, and you may share it with hunters (not chill). If you want beta on getting to the holys, ill spray it for ya.

Too hot for HP40 by now, got to So Ill or NC.