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Crack House, The 
Potter's Rock 


Potter's Rock

Submitted By: Aron Quiter on Sep 30, 2002
Administrator: Aron Quiter
Latitude: 37.9491  Longitude: -120.4659 
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Description 

Located a little further up in the Sierra than many other areas thusfar on the site.

Climbing in this area is REALLY remote, and all Yosemite-like Granite fun. The rock is still losing some of its original loose stuff, so a helmet for the belayer and any bystanders is probably a good idea.

Some routes can be walked off, some can't.

There are two existing rocks, Potter's Rock proper, and also The Crack House, which is located another five minutes away along a sketchy trail that traverses the hillside. The potential for other rocks and routes in this area is obvious.

There are no access fees, you're on National Forest land, so chances are pretty good that you'll be the only party here.

An SUV or other vehicle with good ground clearance is a must, as the gravel road will rip out your suspension if you're not careful with a smaller vehicle.


Getting There 

This area is within 3 hours drive from the bay area, 30 miles or so past the Table Mountain area.

From the 99, Head East on Highway 108 through the town of Jamestown, and also through the town of Sonora. Keep on Highway 108, another 27 miles to the town of Cold Springs.

From the gas station in Cold Springs (yes, there's only one) it is 8.4 miles to the signed Beardsly Road (Forest route 5N02), where you should head left. Watch your odometer and head almost exactly 1 mile to the second road on the right, which is labled Forest Route 5NO9X (the X is nearly indecipherable).

The road will turn into dirt immediately, and will stay wide. After 2.1 miles you will come into an obvious fork (this is the only fork where both roads branching off still look like a road and not a 4X4 trail), where you should head right.

The road will narrow slightly, head exactly 2.5 miles past some large pipes and other PG+E stuff including a small one lane bridge, where you should park on the left side (downhill) of the road. The small trail will be marked by a cairn pile, heading uphill and to the North.

The main rock is about a minute up this small trail.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Potter's Rock:
Project   5.12 R     Trad, TR, 1 pitch, 30 feet   Crack House, The
Browse More Classics in Potter's Rock

Comments on Potter's Rock Add Comment
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By munge
Sep 6, 2006

Most of the popular lines at Potter's are not walk offs.

By Tim Camuti
Jul 22, 2009

More accurate LAT LON is 38.249707,-120.011795. Pulled off Google Maps, not a reading from the crag.