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Benton Crags
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Corral (and Double Dome) 
Crocodile Rock 
Junk Food Rock 
Locals Only Rock 
Lost Piton Rock 
Psycho Killer Rock 

Benton Crags 


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Elevation: 7,900'
Page Views: 9,321. Good page?   
Administrators: Aron Quiter, Euan Cameron, Adam Winters, M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson
Submitted By: Errett Allen on Mar 7, 2006

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Benton Crags with the White Mountains in the dista...

Description 

Trad climbing on grainy granitic rock somewhat reminiscent of Joshua Tree. Mostly west facing easy and moderate routes. Remote with beautiful views of the high Sierra. Primitive camping with no water.


Getting There 

Five and a half miles south of the Mammoth Lakes turnoff on Route 395, turn east on the Benton Crossing Road. Drive about 20 miles, then turn sharply right onto Road 3S50. Watch for a fainter road on the left, turn on this and follow it up to near the base of the crags which are clearly visible.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Benton Crags:
Locals Only   5.6     Trad   Locals Only Rock
Get Lost   5.7     Trad, 115 feet   Locals Only Rock
Tube   5.8     Trad   Locals Only Rock
Rebel Rebel   5.8     Sport, 1 pitch, 60 feet   Lost Piton Rock
Welcome to Planet M.F.   5.10a     Trad, 1 pitch, 100 feet   Lost Piton Rock
Spiders from Mars   5.10b     Sport, 1 pitch, 100 feet   Lost Piton Rock
Mercury Landing   5.10c     Sport, 1 pitch, 70 feet   Lost Piton Rock
Browse More Classics in Benton Crags

Featured Route For Benton Crags
Tyson Dimmitt climbs "Get Lost" (5.7) at Benton Crags.

Get Lost 5.7  CA : Sierra Eastside : ... : Locals Only Rock
A steep, shallow dihedral with abundant face holds is followed by a step left and then a wide crack to the top....[more]   Browse More Classics in CA


Photos of Benton Crags Slideshow Add Photo
Spiders from Mars (5.10b) with the White Mountains in the distance, Benton Crags

Spiders from Mars (5.10b) with the White Mountains...

Bivi at Benton Crags. <br />Photo by Blitzo.

Bivi at Benton Crags.
Photo by Blitzo.


Roadside scenery, Benton Crags

Roadside scenery, Benton Crags

Caro climbing at Benton

Caro climbing at Benton

Rainbow on the road to Benton

Rainbow on the road to Benton

The approach road, Benton Crags

The approach road, Benton Crags

Locals Only Rock & Psycho Killer Rock in front and Junk Food Rock in the back, Benton Crags

Locals Only Rock & Psycho Killer Rock in front and...


Comments on Benton Crags Add Comment
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By Aerili
From: Salt Lake City, UT
Jul 13, 2009

Although the "look" of these crags is reminiscient of J Tree, I found the style of climbing and rock quality reminded me far more of Mount Lemmon crags.

I climbed on Locals Only Rock and thought a lot of the ratings were quite soft; I would downgrade almost all of the routes by a number. However, I then lead one of the 5.9s and felt it was actually fairly solid for the grade, but the crux for me was a small roof--and roofs are not my thing--so maybe it all just depends.

Wonderful and solitary primitive camping here right by the crag.

By Kevin Heckeler
From: West Sand Lake, New York
Oct 10, 2011

Did a good 5.4 at the right end of Psycho. The rappel station was, um.... interesting. Rock on the back side of the cliff was crumbling apart too.

The climbing guide was less than stellar at route placement and descriptions. The more popular routes were easy to find, but wanting to ease up the grades here we had a hard time finding the shorter 5.5 and 5.6 routes. Ended up going to Iris Slabs in Rock Creek and had a great time for hours doing some quality routes on quality granite. This crag, fwiw, is probably frequented by locals and isn't what I was think of as a destination for visiting climbers (we're from upstate New York).

Did happen to meet a couple locals while there and they were friendly, helpful even.

It would be useful if a local climber would spend a couple hours filling things in here. I know there's 5 times as many routes in the guide as are listed.