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

Coyotes at Sunset 5.8  CA : San Bernardino Mountains : ... : Coyote Crag

This route, like it's neighbor to the right, is a local classic and a highly recommended route for the grade that provides fun climbing on mostly large holds up a vertical wall.Start down and left from Bye Crackie and just right of Golden Poodle and climb broken rock to a bolt 20' up (optional gear to 2.5" available). From here the wall steepens and well-protected climbing on mostly incut patina plates and edges leads to anchors on a sloping le...[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