Rock II - North Face  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  6,300' Page Views:  989. Good page? (1 like)    Administrators:  Aron Quiter, Euan Cameron, Adam Winters, M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Chris D on Oct 16, 2011 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

The North Face of Rock II showing the descent rout...

Description 

Rock II is the middle of three "rocks" on Owens Ridge that contain most of the long, developed routes. The rock sees little sun, as it's aspect is generally northeast-facing. The rock is granite, and is generally of the worst quality that most would consider worth climbing on. Still, it's a fantastic and beautiful location.

Getting There 

Owens Ridge is accessed by driving to the parking area for the Owens Peak Trail, as described in the Indian Wells Canyon area entry.

From the parking area, walk down into the bottom of the canyon, then climb about 1,000 feet on loose soil and talus up ridges and along game trails to get to the rock, aiming for the left-center of the south face of Rock II.


The South Face of Owens Ridge. Middle Saddle is between Rocks I and II, but approach it from the base of Rock II to avoid difficult terrain.

When you are near the base of the rock, begin countouring to your right, aiming for the Middle Saddle, which is between Rocks I and II. Approaching the saddle from directly below instead of from along the base of Rock II will get you into cliffs that are difficult to get around.

From Middle Saddle, descend to the north between Rocks I and II. This descent is characterized by steep, loose, dangerous talus and sand surrounded by steep slab covered with ball-bearing gravel. Be careful.


The slab and talus descent to The Forest from Middle Saddle

Sticking to the flowing band of talus, and keeping as far to the left as possible, you'll eventually come to a point where fourth-class downclimbing is required to reach a tree with some tat and a rap-ring. This tree permits an 85-foot rappel to "The Forest," a collection of trees and shrubs on a huge sloping ledge. Most of the routes on the North Face of Rock II begin in The Forest.


Setting up the rappel to The Forest.

The Classics

Featured Route For Rock II - North Face

El Centro 5.5 R  CA : Sierra Eastside : ... : Rock II - North Face

From the end of the rappel to the forest, a huge chimney is visible to the right. El Centro begins pretty much right in front of you, about 40 feet to the left of the big chimney.The route climbs a crack system up to and over the right end of a ragged arch about 200 feet off the deck. Once you're above the arch, traverse above it to the left into a crack that diagonals up and right. Follow this crack up to a system of ledges that you can see go back to the descent route. You could escape the...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA