Mouse Maze on Cracked Wall near Bishop Peak offers a focused adventure for trad and sport climbers ready to blend crack skills with bolt protection. This single pitch, about 40 feet of climbing, begins with a measured step into Dirty Rat’s Crack, a narrow chimney that demands patience and precision. After a short ascent, the route shifts abruptly, inviting climbers to make a key move into a tight seam just above the crack. From here, the route draws you left, threading through a series of bolts that guide your path like markers in a climbing puzzle. The highlight is a distinct ‘mouse hole’ tunnel just left of the third bolt—an inviting pocket where you reach upward for large, reliable jugs.

This section feels like the route’s pulse, calling for careful footwork and confident hand placements. A crouch under a small roof leads you to a delicate cam placement, emphasizing the need for solid gear selection. The movement above demands a high step and steady balance to slot a gold Alien into a horizontal seam, an essential piece to secure your lead before pulling over the roof feature. The route finishes with a satisfying clip of the last bolt and a pull to the final chains.

Clocking in at a moderate 5.9- PG13 rating, Mouse Maze walks the line between approachable and challenging. The protection is mostly bolts with some small cams to supplement, making it friendly yet requiring attention to gear placements. The climb’s length and technical moves make it an ideal choice for climbers keen on refining crack techniques while testing their route reading skills on sport placements.

Situated on Cracked Wall, the route anchors you in the cooler microclimate of Bishop Peak’s north-facing granite. The rock is solid but demands respect, with occasional granite features that reward precise footwork. Approaching from the standard trail, you’ll find the quality consistent and the scene frequently shared with other locals exploring the Central Coast’s varied climbs.

When planning a send, timing is crucial. Early morning sessions offer shade, reducing heat buildup on the wall, while afternoons see the sun creeping around the angle, bringing warmth to cool fingers on chillier days. Proper footwear with sticky rubber will give the edge needed for precise foot jams and smears.

This climb blends the cerebral with the physical—crack climbing that teases your technique paired with bolt-protected pockets and seams demanding calculated movement. Mouse Maze invites an engaged, methodical approach that leaves you feeling both rewarded and eager for the next problem on Cracked Wall.