Central Pinnacles

High above the trees on Pistol Pete (5.10a), Holco...

Description 

This area covers all of the formations from the northern parking area south to Camp Rock and includes Coyote Crag, Claim Jumper Wall, Pistol Whipped Wall, Motherlode Rock, Gunsmoke Wall, Thunderbird Wall and much more.

This area truly is the heart of the Pinnacles and offers the greatest concentration of routes with the least amount of hiking in the entire region. The abundance of well-protected, featured moderates in the area makes it especially popular during the height of the season, so be warned if seeking solitude.

Don't miss climbs of the area include Gold Standard (5.6), Bye Crackie (5.7), Coyotes at Sunset (5.8), Black Magic Poodle (5.9), Claim Jumper (5.10a), One Armed Bandit (5.10a), Ricochet (5.10a), Pistol Pete (5.10a), Coyotes in the Henhouse (5.10d), Stake Your Claim (5.10d) and The Incinerator (5.12a).

Getting There 

The northern parking area is located at the edge of the Central Pinnacles, making it an obvious choice to park and walk the 5-10 minutes required to reach any of the crags in the Central Pinnacles.

It's also possible to park at the southern parking area, near Parking Lot Rock, and walk north for 10 minutes to reach the southern end of the area near Coyote Crag.

The Classics

Featured Route For Central Pinnacles

Doc's Holiday 5.10d  CA : San Bernardino Mountains : ... : Doc Holiday Wall

Easy moves past three bolts lead up a featured face to the base of the smooth headwall. Clip the 4th bolt and then head up the steep, smooth face using small but positive crimps that appear just as you need them. After clipping the last bolt head straight up on jugs to finish on a small ledge with anchors. The bottom portion of this was originally climbed via a loose hand crack to the right; years later a direct start was added which bo...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

Photos of Central Pinnacles Slideshow

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Christian Daly floats up the HVP classic, 'Bye Cra...	Baby rattler just off the trail near the Claimjump...	Midway up Hidden Gold (5.7), Holcomb Valley Pinnac...
Nearing the top of Powder Keg (5.10a), Holcomb Val...	Climber on the Thunderbird Wall, in the beautiful Hol...	a beautiful day on the Lizard Head.
rope bags have other uses, you know...	Mt. San Gorgonio from the central pinnacles.	A portion of the road into the Central Pinnacles, ...
Old marker for the nearby Mammoth Mine, Holcomb Va...	BETA PHOTO: An overview map with some climbs to get your beari...	Moonshine Dome