Actually fair is fair, you answered my questions and, as must be obvious now, you nailed South Fork Slabs - Left (and the route The Source) on Google Maps (as far as I can tell you did anyway).
It's a nice area. Here are some of the intro texts:
South Fork Stanislaus River
The South Fork Stanislaus River originates near Cooper Meadow in the northern Emigrant Wilderness. From Cooper Meadow it flows through a deep and wild canyon all the way to Pinecrest Lake. Large slabs of granite line much of this canyon; these extend from below Burst Rock/The Gianelli Edges to below Frankensteins (which looms above Pinecrest Lake). The rock here is almost all excellent quality granite. The setting is definitely one of the prettiest on the whole Sonora Pass Highway. The area is also relatively low in elevation. On hot days, the crags here (especially the southeast-facing South Fork Slabs) get quite warm. However, the close presence of the river can make up for this; a dip in the ice cold water provides immediate and wonderful relief.
Climbs here are more than two miles upriver from the reservoir. Although it is possible to hike around Pinecrest Lake and then up-canyon, a more practical approach is made from easily accessible, dirt Gooseberry Road. Gooseberry Road connects the Burst Rock/Gianelli Trailhead area to Dodge Ridge Ski Resort and Dodge Ridge Road (it can also be used as an alternative driving route to Burst Rock as shown on the Herring Creek Road chapter map at page xxx).
Drive to Gooseberry Road by exiting Highway 108 on Pinecrest Lake Road (to the right when driving east/toward Sonora Pass). This exit is 1.9 miles past the Crabtree Road exit. Drive on Pinecrest Lake Road 0.3 miles before turning right on Dodge Ridge Road. This road continues uphill toward Dodge Ridge Ski Resort. As Dodge Ridge Road approaches the resort it becomes a one-way, loop road (this change occurs 3.3 miles from Highway 108). Gooseberry Road leaves Dodge Ridge Road near the end of this loop, so reaching it requires driving to and through the actual ski resort (to do this, turn sharply left at the start of the ski resort parking lot). At 4.1 miles from the highway, dirt Gooseberry Road appears on the right (the Forest Service road designation, Road 4N34 appears on a post 50 feet up from the pavement). Continue uphill, through many curves (good bouldering is found among these curves, especially on the left, seven-tenths of a mile up this road). At 6.5 miles from the highway, (2.4 miles from Dodge Ridge Road) follow a dirt side road to the left. This leads in 50 feet to a large, flat, open area on the right. Park here (GPS for parking: N38 11.816, W119 56.105).
It takes about 30 minutes to hike from parking to Ski Lift Cliff - Left, and five to ten more minutes to walk down and around to the center and right parts of this formation. The South Fork Slabs are 35 to 40 minutes from parking. Start the approach by walking east on the dirt side road. The road quickly passes a closure gate and then curves left and starts steeply downhill (in the winter, this part of the road is part of Dodge Ridge ski run #8). After one third of a mile on the ski run/road, arrive at the run’s bottom lift and first aid hut. Continue just past these structures, then turn left and walk north through a dense aspen forest (this can be marshy early in the season). The forest ends at a low granite slab about 100 yards from the lift. Go up the slab and onto the top of a low, open granite ridge. Once on top of the granite ridge, turn right (northeast); walk 300 yards along the ridge top (the river and the South Fork Slabs come into view during this walk, Ski Lift Cliff is below, to the left, facing the river). After 300 yards, drop slightly down and left to arrive at the northeast end of Ski Lift Cliff (identify this northeast end by locating Cheyenne and Sierra, two very noticeable, 20 foot high crack routes on the end of the cliff).
Ski Lift Cliff
Ski Lift Cliff is the river side of the low granite ridge that makes up the last part of the approach to the area (it is down and to the left when walking northeast along the granite ridge top). The cliff faces northwest (toward the South Fork Stanislaus River). Most of the climbing routes on Ski Lift Cliff are in the shade most of the day....
South Fork Slabs
The longest and best routes in the South Fork canyon are found on the right (northwest) side of the river (“right” is measured as the river flows.) Approach them by walking down easy, open slabs from the northeast end of Ski Lift Cliff (from near the short crack routes Cheyenne and Sierra). Crossing the river is a critical part of this approach and may not be possible until at least mid-season. Although these slabs get all-day sun and can get hot, the river is only a few feet away from each slab and relief from the heat is therefore quick, easy and fun....
It's a wonderful place and there is still untouched rock there. One formation in particular that has nice rock and, as of yet, no routes, is 1/4 mile west of Ski Lift Cliff (Ski Lift Cliff - West?). I've got at least two steep slabs I want to do on already-climbed formations that will be in the 5.11 range. Jim and Alan and I have a hard ass crack that we've tried too on South Fork Slabs - Right that we still need to get clean (and Alan and Steve have a sick crack project that I think they'll get next year which is in the "easy" 5.12 range). The offwidth Heavy Mettle is also on South Fork Slabs - Right.
And all the bolts on all the routes are 3/8" stainless steel.
We'll get down there as early as next season allows (if any of you are willing to go).
