Berkeley Camp Rocks  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  807. Good page?    Administrators:  Aron Quiter, M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Aron Quiter on Sep 2, 2003 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

BETA PHOTO: Berkeley Camp Rocks from below on highway 50. The...

Description 

This section of rocks is located just below the area known as Berkeley Camp, which is a section of National forest land that is leased by the University of California - Berkeley, and is known as Berkeley Municipal Camp. This rock can be seen from highway 50 below, though it is nearly invisible from the camp itself.

8 climbs, 7 sport and one aid route exist on rocks that vary between 40 and 60 feet in height, on excellent vertical to slightly overhung granite. All climbing is sport, and routes are very well protected.

All climbs face East and North, so you will find yourself in the shade in the afternoons.

Most climbs sit underneath the Berkeley Camp lodge, though one climb known as Berkeley Bezerker (5.11a?) sits apart from the other climbing about 100 yards south, and starts on a large dead tree stump in a separate section of the same cliff band.

BEWARE!

When wandering from eastiblished trails, keep an eye out for unexploded avalanche shells. Berkeley Camp rocks sit just to the right of a major avalanche slide area, and there are certainly going to be unexploded shells around.

Getting There 

Instead of heading up to the Echo Lake parking lot on Echo Pass road, head only about 1 1/2 miles up, where you will see a sign stating "Berkeley Camp Parking" with an arrow pointing to the left. You can park on the road here, or go into the parking lot if the road is full. Walk accross the street to the area full of some covered structures, and some uncovered structures known as Berkeley Camp.

Walk about 250 yards to the Northeast section of Berkeley Camp (the left end, not very far in) to the large structure known (by the sign on the front) as the Lodge. It's also easily indentified because there's a paved basketball court in front of it. Walk behind the Lodge around the short fence, and down the narrow gully. All climbs will be on your left, except Berkeley Berzerker, which is about 100 yards to the southeast in the next section of cliffs.

The Classics