395: route recommendation?

Will be driving up to Mammoth Lakes on Friday (from San Diego), and need to be there by 5pm. I've been driving the 395 my entire life, but this will be my first time as a rock climber (first climb was August this year). Anyway, I like to get out and stretch my legs along the drive, and thought this time I'll pull off for a few sport climbs. Looking for recommendations...

Hoping to find easy/quick access off the 395 (short drive/approach). Looking for fully bolted sport climbs, 5.8-5.10a-ish. Alabama Hills and Owens Gorge are likely the candidates, but hoping to know which area/climbs to hit up to be most efficient. Also, heading back to the Gorge on Saturday if it makes a difference. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Peace,
Aaron

The Alabama Hills are perhaps the most time efficient, given the non-existent approach.

Alabama Hills are what you want for a quick stop. The climbing is less than 10 min off 395 and has zero approach. The Gorge is way better climbing but is a 10 min drive and then 20-25 min approach.

Awesome, will pull off and check out a few climbs at Alabama Hills (any specific route to get on?). Will be spending Saturday, and likely Sunday, climbing with some experienced Gorge climbers so will look forward to that experience as well. Thanks for the tips!

I think my favorite formation there is The Loaf. The Croft/Lewis Bishop guide covers the area pretty well. There's a lot of sport in the 5.8-10a range in the Hills, so you have lots of options. The Shark's Fin is also a classic photo op and less than a 20 second walk from the car.

Whoops! I missed the grade range he was looking for. The Loaf is good. Tall Wall is fun. I can't recommend the Fin...it's only worth it for the photo op.

The routes in the range you're looking for at Owens are concentrated around the base of the central approach (Negress Wall, Warm-Up Wall, a few by Pub Wall), which can be done in 5 minutes down, 8 minutes up if you're in shape and willing to suffer for a few minutes!!