Category:Rock Climbing Areas

From CACWiki

Pasadena is within a 6 hour drive of 3 world-class rock climbing destinations, crowned by the majestic Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows. Where you'll end up choosing to climb will largely depend on what kind of climbing you like to do and what time of year it is. If you like to plug gear and run it out on R and X rated slabs, you are in luck, because some of the best stuff is within a 2 hour drive. You will spend a ton of time in Joshua Tree, that is until the late Spring, where the hot temperatures will drive you to Idyllwild, where the famous multi-pitch climbs of Tahquitz and Suicide Rocks await the adventurous soul. But without a doubt, the name of the game in California is the huge multi-pitch free climbs and wall climbs of Yosemite, Tuolumne Meadows, and the Needles of the Southern Sierra. But maybe you fancy pulling on the steep, clipping bolts as you crank your way up an overhang? We have sport climbing here, but the really good stuff is a ways away and potentially hard to get to (eg. 4 wheel drive and long hiking). Beginners to advanced climbers will fall in love with the Owens River Gorge near Bishop, sporting long endurance routes on often great rock with cool pockets (think volcanic, not limestone). Red Rocks of Nevada is super good too, although many of the sport routes are on the short side (note, this area also contains numerous classic multi-pitch traditional climbs). Oh, so that is not your style eh? You are a member of the pad people tribe and bouldering is your main thing. You have come to shangri-la, my friend. Bishop is second in the country only to the fabled Hueco Tanks. Joshua Tree has over 1000 problems, and there are many, many more smaller but good areas to explore.

Get the idea? Before giving anymore specific beta on any of these areas, it'll be a good idea to first figure out what your goal is. Day-trip close by, or weekend road trip, or perhaps even a mega-2-week road trip? Sport, trad, bouldering, or all the above? Use the links below to guide you to some of the best climbing on Earth!