Moonstone Beach  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  41.03, -124.1125 Map Page Views:  27,090. Good page?    Administrators:  Rick Shull, M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Rick Shull on Nov 2, 2006 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Richie cranking on the South Triangle Boulder in p...

Description 

Moonstone Beach is Eureka/Arcata's easiest access climbing area. The good quality sandstone and greenstone boulders and cliffs, combined with soft sand landings under most of the boulders, make this a favorite for both the "The-sun's-out-class-can-wait" and the after work crowd. From the parking area there are four main areas with clusters of problems and routes. The rock dries quickly after storms and is climbable all year 'round but it can be foggy in the summer and days of rain in the winter. A rope bag or tarp is recommended when pulling your rope to keep it out of the sand. Moonstone is also THE place to meet partners for other local adventures.

Moonstone Trivia:
#1 Many of the moderate topropes were pioneered in the 60's or earlier by Andy Montgomery, a minister from Arcata who trained on a wall he built inside the bell tower of his church.

#2 The Moonstone outdoor clothing company was started by the beach caretaker in a tin-can trailer on this beach.

Getting There 

Take Highway 101 north from Arcata, exit at Westhaven Drive(just north of Clam Beach), take a left under 101 and left back south and take the first right to the beach.

A guidebook is available at outdoor shops in Arcata and Eureka.

Camping 

Camping can be found just south at Clam Beach or 15 minutes north at Patrick's Point State Park.

The Classics

Featured Route For Moonstone Beach

Nightmare 5.12a  CA : Redwood Coast : ... : Karen Rock

Nightmare begins by climbing the first half of Dream Theme. Where Dream Theme traverses right, after the large hueco, continue up and left through a blocky bulge to a horn of lighter colored rock. Make a difficult cross through to a series of large but sloping holds, make a couple of moves on these and then continue straight up to the anchor....[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

Photos of Moonstone Beach Slideshow

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Sun, sea & sand - Marc entering the crux of Dream ...	Jim Hammerle leading Karen Crack on Karen Rock.	Seaweed and surf, Moonstone Beach
The end of another great day, Moonstone Beach	Pelicans and surf, Moonstone Beach	Looking inland, Moonstone Beach
Bouldering on the beach.	YEAH	THE MAN THE MYTH THE LEGEND PAUL HUMPHREY
Karen Rock	south end	I like my drysuit . . .
Fun routes.