Sierra Foothills

Oak Trees-Foothills. Photo by Blitzo.

New Rock! New Rock! Come and Get it! 

The foothills of the Sierra are a vast and mostly untamed stretch of rocky hillsides. Bouldering is everywhere, and sport is plentiful. Trad routes can be found, but are often undocumented and wild.

Areas in the foothills may not be documented, since a lot of the climbable rock in the area will be found on privater property, and also in public areas where local land managers don't believe that climbing is a reputable sport. Examples of this can be found around the Table Mountain area, where the Gold Wall and Jail House rock are some of the finest climbing around, but you can't find either online or in guidebooks.

Weather in the foothills is some of the most varied in California: In the summer temperatures often exceed 100 degrees, yet in the winter you will find snow often as low as 2000 feet. Spring and Fall are often the best times to climb, but keep in mind elevations and recent rainfall and you can find wonderful days in the winter as well.

Areas like Sonora Pass are excellent. A short drive from the Bay area, and you can have rock like Tahoe AND Yosemite, but without the crowds of either area. In the fall, Table Mountain is one of the most beautiful places in the state. Auburn has potential, but currently has access issues. New rock is always just over the next ridge, and all you need is a little imagination and some forestry maps, and you can find the next climbing area in California.

Getting There 

Don't be mistaken, this is a LARGE area. Ranging from Tahachopee Pass in the south, this area heads nearly 300 miles to the North up to nearly Chico in the north. Elevations are from 700 feet in the West up to nearly 4000 feet in the foothills. Sonora Pass is probably needing it's own area, but for now it's listed here and has elevations up to 9000 feet at the pass.

Featured Route For Sierra Foothills

Carson-Kodas Arete 5.11b R  CA : Sierra Foothills : Courtright Reservoir

A Brief History of 'Carson-Kodas'....In July 1987, when they put up this route, Ron Carson and Vaino Kodas were two of the best and boldest climbers in the area. Ron's routes on Dome Rock (Carsonoma and Chemotherapy, etc.) are legendary 5.12+ power slabs. By this time he had also led "The Dark Side" (5.12R/X) on Voodoo Dome, and he would go on to complete the amazing "Titanic" in The Needles with Tony Yaniro and Brett Maurer. Vaino Kodas, one of ...[more]

Add Photo Photos of Sierra Foothills

Foothill Sunset. Photo by Blitzo.	John Vargas belayed by Eric McGee on an area class...	Gerry Jesserun "pulls a tendon" on the back side o...
Climbing the second ascent of 'Prolly Bomber' (.10...