Grotto, The

Open, with restrictions: private property MORE INFO >>> Climbing access is open but parts are on private property. Please be respectful of property owners. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

Description 

The Grotto is one of the most alien places I've ever seen (alongside Joshua Tree)! You're in a 30-foot deep pit, surrounded by climbing. The main wall is columnar basalt until it gets to the surrounding ground level, then becomes more featured and very overhung above ground.The area is also a lot cooler due to its location, and doesn't see much sun. The lower part of the wall has mainly trad climbs, though a few bolted routes like the classic AC Devil Dog are present too. The upper wall is all sport and is mostly very difficult. It can only be reached by climbing the lower routes first.

Getting There 

Approach time: 20 - 25 minutes.

From the Welcome Wall, simply continue left another 2 minutes on the trail. You'll go down a steep trail between some rocks, and you will see the columnar Grotto in front of you on the right, the Ort Wall on the left, and The Cave Routes ahead and left.

The Classics

Featured Route For Grotto, The

Rawhide 5.10d  CA : Sierra Foothills : ... : Grotto, The

Rawhide is the most obvious finger crack left of AC Devil Dog on the lower portion of the Grotto's main wall. It is a fun and difficult route with a distinct crux section near the middle of the route.Stemming right decreases the difficulty.In the photo below, Rawhide is the crack that starts on the bottom left....[more]   Browse More Classics in CA