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Elevation: 7,389 ft
GPS: 34.23136, -116.96154
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 77,690 total · 375/month
Shared By: Isaac Tait on Mar 19, 2007 · Updates
Admins: C Miller, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes

Description Suggest change

An amazing crag, with superb quality granite located on top of a rather steep hill with jaw dropping views of the mountains and Big Bear Lake. It is a rather secluded area although during the summer due to its high elevation and relatively shady setting the area can attract quite a few climbers. Due to its high elevation it can get a bit breezy and chilly in the late afternoon.

  • Individual areas of Castle Rock are listed in order from left to right (west to east) while facing the rock.

Getting There Suggest change

This area can be a little tricky to find as it is marked by a rather small trail sign and the parking area is down the road a bit from the trail. But it is off HWY 18 about 1 mile from the dam. If you are coming from Running springs at the dam you would turn right across the dam and drive for about 2 miles the trail is on your right. The parking area is about 200 feet further on HWY 18 on your Left.

 The trail is a surprisingly steep lung buster, the trail is in good condition though and as you get higher the views get even more amazing. Near the top the trail can get a little hard to find but just follow the footprints in a generally south east direction and you will see the crag. The trail is about a mile, and up until April or even May you can be walking through snow to get to Castle Rock, so dress accordingly.

37 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Castle Rock

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 38
Easy As Your Sister's Best Friend
Sport
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 42
The Sphynx
Trad
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 60
Black Tower Crack
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 37
Crossbow
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 47
The Turret
Trad
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 18
The Great Steps of Cheops
Trad, TR
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 59
Ball and Chain
Sport
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
 65
Knightline
Trad
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 18
Cryptology
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 7
Hard As Your Husband
Trad
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 23
Castle Crack
Trad
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 9
Grappling Hooks
Trad
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 26
The Roofs
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 10
Holy Fingers
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 16
King of the Castle
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Easy As Your Sister's Best… (e) Castle Rock - E Face
 38
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a Sport
The Sphynx (a) Castle Rock - Sou…
 42
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad
Black Tower Crack (e) Castle Rock - E Face
 60
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Crossbow (c) Castle Rock - Sou…
 37
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
The Turret (a) Castle Rock - Sou…
 47
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
The Great Steps of Cheops (a) Castle Rock - Sou…
 18
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad, TR
Ball and Chain (a) Castle Rock - Sou…
 59
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Sport
Knightline (c) Castle Rock - Sou…
 65
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b Trad
Cryptology (a) Castle Rock - Sou…
 18
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Hard As Your Husband (e) Castle Rock - E Face
 7
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad
Castle Crack (b) Castle Rock - S Face
 23
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad
Grappling Hooks (b) Castle Rock - S Face
 9
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad
The Roofs (b) Castle Rock - S Face
 26
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Holy Fingers (a) Castle Rock - Sou…
 10
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
King of the Castle (b) Castle Rock - S Face
 16
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
More Classic Climbs in Castle Rock »

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