Marble Caves

BETA PHOTO: Marble Caves as seen from Hwy. 36 when traveling d...

Description 

A gem in the rough. Gradual to steeply overhanging blue, gold and white streaked limestone up to 250 feet high. New routes and retro bolted lines went in recently. See "Bigfoot Country Climbing" for some dated info about the crag. The guide lists many routes drilled for Removable Bolts. Since these are no longer made, old routes with "R.B.s" for pro are being retro bolted with the permission of the first ascentionists.

Getting There 

In Northern CA, take Hwy 36 from either Red Bluff inland, or near Fortuna from the coast.

Just east of the "no horse" town Forest Glen, near Hell Gate campground is Flume Gulch Road where Rattlesnake creek flows under Hwy 36.

Take Flume Gulch road 3 miles to the end of the pavement. For the Dream Wall, turn left onto 1S14D. Camp / park on an old logging landing about 1 mile down this road. The trail to the cliff starts at the back of the logging landing, in the trees. Follow this faint trail over the saddle to the right end of the Dream Wall. Walk right across the "catwalk" to the other walls of this sector.

The Bowling Ball is accessed by continuing along Flume Gulch Road past the junction with the road to the Dream Wall. Park at mile post 10. Hike down hill to the southwest from there 5 minutes to the crag. The crags are not visible from the parking area.