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Moro Rock (SEKI)
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Routes Sorted
L to R R to L Alpha
Aerial Boundaries 
Bear Damage 
Direct East Face 
Flight of Stares 
Full Metal Jacket 
Levity's End 
Lizards Kiss, The 
Pennies On The Patio 
South Face 
Stair Trek 
Unsorted Routes:

Moro Rock (SEKI) 


Photos: Recent | Best | Popular
Elevation: 6,725'
Lat, Long: 36.5442, -118.7642 Map
Page Views: 12,082. Good page? (1 like)   
Administrators: M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson
Submitted By: Dave Daly on Nov 6, 2007

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What's New
  Print a Mini-Guide with routes

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BETA PHOTO: Moro Rock blanketed with the seasons first snow fa...

Description 

Not to be confused with Morro Rock in the California costal town of Morro Bay, Moro Rock is the most climbed summit in Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park, undoubtedly because the car-to-car distance on the standard route is a mere 1/4 mile, with a climb of 300 feet. The rock itself is a granite exfoliating dome of the same variety as that of Half Dome and Mount Starr King. Moro Rock protrudes into the massive canyon of the Kaweah River, just far enough to produce marvelous views of the Great Western Divide and the striking granite flanks of The Fin and The Castle Rock Spires, to the east.

While the stairs of the "standard route" are a marvel of engineering, blasted as they are right into the Sierra Nevada granite, this little stroll itself is not worthy objective of Mountain Project technical climbers. What is worthy is the rock's 1000-foot+ sheer walls, boasting a myriad of climbing routes upon its flanks, mostly free climbs with some aid routes interspersed. Surprisingly, there is little information on the internet, compared to the more popular climbs of Yosemite. However, if you're a climber that is more keen to less populated lines, Moro Rock will not disappoint the avid adventurist.


Getting There 

From the south entrance on the Generals Highway (Hwy 198), drive up to the Giant Forest area (20 miles). Turn right onto a small road that is signed for Moro Rock, Cresent Meadows, and The Auto Log. Follow the road for 1 mile. Signs are marked to show direction to Moro Rock. Park at the established parking lot. Ensure you lock your vehicle and remove food and scented items as this is a frequented area by not only people but bears alike!


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Moro Rock (SEKI):
Direct East Face   5.7 A2     Aid, 4 pitches, 600 feet, Grade II   
South Face   5.7+     Trad, 6 pitches, Grade III   
The Lizards Kiss   5.8     Trad, 4 pitches, 600 feet, Grade II   
Pennies On The Patio   5.9     Trad, TR, 100 feet   
Full Metal Jacket   5.10a A3     Aid, 1500 feet, Grade V   
Browse More Classics in Moro Rock (SEKI)

Featured Route For Moro Rock (SEKI)
Green=approximate approach <br />Red=approximate climb

Levity's End 5.10 R  CA : Sequoia & Kings Canyon Nati... : Moro Rock (SEKI)
Great line directly up the center of a great formation! Really fun climb with thin face, knobs, cracks, off-width, and everything in between. The crux is very well protected, but some of the easier pitches are run out or rely on slinging knobs and some old bolts. Can be climbed for most of the year, but the road closes in winter and it may get too hot for wusses from the coast in the summer. P1: Climbs up past a bolt to the yellow rectangle at the base of the knobby wall. (5.9)P2: Follow the ...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA


Photos of Moro Rock (SEKI) Slideshow Add Photo
Enjoying a variation of 'Pennies On The Patio' (5.8 - 5.10), Moro Rock, Sequoia NP (photo by Randy Wenzel)

Enjoying a variation of 'Pennies On The Patio' (5....

John Barbella enjoys the classic 'South Cracks' (5.9)

John Barbella enjoys the classic 'South Cracks' (5...

Mary Teetaman, one of Sequoia's rangers, scans for "pay dirt" on 'Pennies On The Patio'.

Mary Teetaman, one of Sequoia's rangers, scans for...

Josh Van Aalst tries his hand at 'Pennies On The Patio'

Josh Van Aalst tries his hand at 'Pennies On The P...

The west face of Moro Rock

BETA PHOTO: The west face of Moro Rock

Moro rock on a wonderful November day.

Moro rock on a wonderful November day.

High up on the South Face route, a runout out face with easy climbing and maybe alittle pro..............

High up on the South Face route, a runout out face...

Moro Rock. <br />Photo by Blitzo.

Moro Rock.
Photo by Blitzo.


me leading bear damage, a 5.9 slab on Moro Rock.  go up the first ~15 stairs of Moro Rock then head left and downhill to the bear damage crag.   <br />3 slabby sport routes in the 5.9-5.10 range & a 5.7 gear route on the left. or rap from railing to 2 bolt anchor.

me leading bear damage, a 5.9 slab on Moro Rock. ...

the west face of Moro Rock.  <br />Sequoia NP CA.

the west face of Moro Rock.
Sequoia NP CA.


south cracks moro rock

south cracks moro rock

greg follows the 1st pitch of south cracks. moro rock south face.

greg follows the 1st pitch of south cracks. moro r...

Jason Ivanic on Condor Watch Ledge.

Jason Ivanic on Condor Watch Ledge.

The last rap to the base of the west face of Moro Rock.  <br /> <br />(This is the second rappel off of Condor Watch Ledge.)

The last rap to the base of the west face of Moro ...

the Route is Ladies on Top. 5.8 trad. 4 pitches. Sean on the 3rd pitch hanging gear belay, just before the traverse pitch that leads to the east face route. Moro Rock.

the Route is Ladies on Top. 5.8 trad. 4 pitches. S...

a Moro Rock bivy

a Moro Rock bivy


Comments on Moro Rock (SEKI) Add Comment
Show which comments
By Ken Trout
From: Golden, CO
Dec 15, 2008

Moro Rock is a unique combination of giants, both trees and cliffs. Bring some giant rope (200m static) and you might find top-rope-solo heaven. I did two rappel/climbs, besides Pennies on the Patio, with a measly 100m rope. Hop over the rail and head south along the summit ridge to get away from crowds and lessen the potential for tossed objects.

Nice coin-op showers at the Lodgpole visitor's center too. About five times as many bears here as in Yosemite though.

By sam.f
From: Santa Cruz, CA
Jun 10, 2009

Wow this place looks incredible! What is the "typical" climbing season? Is there anywhere (guidebook or otherwise) I can get some more detailed route info? I'm fairly new to the area, and I wouldn't be opposed to anyone sending me a topo if there are any floating around...

By Spider Savage
Oct 21, 2010

Climb Moro Rock by the regular trail in the middle of the night for an awesome Giant Forest solitude experience. For added solitude go alone. This is on my top-5 list of things to do in Sequoia.

By Aaron Slaven
From: Fresno, CA
Apr 22, 2012

www.nps.gov/seki/parknews/upload/2012_Moro_closure_ew.pdf

Peregrine Falcons nestings.
Closure from "South Face" to "Glow with the flow."

April 17th - August 30th 2012

By limpingcrab
From: Visalia, CA
Apr 10, 2013

www.nps.gov/seki/parknews/upload/2013_Moro_closure-2.pdf

Everything between and including full metal jacket and the south face closed from April 17th to August 30th (or until further notice) this year.