Sierra Foothills North  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  38.9, -121 Map Page Views:  301,990. Good page? (1 like)    Administrators:  Aron Quiter, M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Aron Quiter on Feb 18, 2006 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

2012 Giant Sequoia National Monument Peregrine Falcon Protection MORE INFO >>> Closure exists within 1/4 mile of Chimney Rock to all but volunteer monitors, National Park Service and Forest Service personnel. The closure will begin in mid April (when the Forest Supervisor signs the order) and continue until August 15. The closure will be removed earlier if it is confirmed that nesting activity had concluded (nest failed, chicks fledged or birds never used the area). Chimney Rock 2010 Submitted By: Closures and Restrictions on May 2, 2010 This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

Oak Trees-Foothills.
Photo by Blitzo.

New Rock! New Rock! Come and Get it! 

The foothills of the Sierra are a vast and mostly untamed stretch of rocky hillsides. Bouldering is everywhere, and sport is plentiful. Trad routes can be found, but are often undocumented and wild.

Areas in the foothills may not be documented, since a lot of the climbable rock in the area will be found on privater property, and also in public areas where local land managers don't believe that climbing is a reputable sport. Examples of this can be found around the Table Mountain area, where the Gold Wall and Jail House rock are some of the finest climbing around, but you can't find either online or in guidebooks.

Weather in the foothills is some of the most varied in California: In the summer temperatures often exceed 100 degrees, yet in the winter you will find snow often as low as 2000 feet. Spring and Fall are often the best times to climb, but keep in mind elevations and recent rainfall and you can find wonderful days in the winter as well.

Areas like Sonora Pass are excellent. A short drive from the Bay area, and you can have rock like Tahoe AND Yosemite, but without the crowds of either area. In the fall, Table Mountain is one of the most beautiful places in the state. Auburn has potential, but currently has access issues. New rock is always just over the next ridge, and all you need is a little imagination and some forestry maps, and you can find the next climbing area in California.

Getting There 

Don't be mistaken, this is a LARGE area. Ranging from Tahachopee Pass in the south, this area heads nearly 300 miles to the North up to nearly Chico in the north. Elevations are from 700 feet in the West up to nearly 4000 feet in the foothills. Sonora Pass is probably needing it's own area, but for now it's listed here and has elevations up to 9000 feet at the pass.

The Classics

Featured Route For Sierra Foothills North

Pacific Street Traverse V0-V-5 V2-3  CA : Sierra Foothills North : ... : Pacific Street Wall

many variations of this traverseDragons Neck Traverse V0 start on the left side, make delicate moves right past undercling to jugs.High pacific street V3-5 Do dragons neck but continue to the corner, at the corner pull onto sloping lip at right (i like to dyno it) do moves with few feet to reach a good hold on lip and geet feet right into leaning crack. a powerful slap to a rounded jug leads to fun moves on the positively cut lip continue around the final arete and top out or step off near pinsc...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

Photos of Sierra Foothills North Slideshow

Add Photo

Foothill Sunset. Photo by Blitzo.	John Vargas belayed by Eric McGee on an area class...	Gerry Jesserun "pulls a tendon" on the back side o...
Climbing the second ascent of 'Prolly Bomber' (.10...	Chimney Rock Spire	Digger Pine aka Grey Pine. Photo by Blitzo.
Digger pine cones. Photo by Blitzo.	Sierra Foothills granite. Photo by Blitzo.	Pine Rose leaves. Photo by Blitzo.
Large Mountain Monkeyflower. Photo by Blitzo.	Live Oak? Photo by Blitzo.	Live oak bark detail? Photo by Blitzo.
Mistletoe. Photo by Blitzo.	Common Yarrow (Achillea Augustissima). Photo by Bl...	Soft Arnica? Photo by Blitzo.
Sugar Pine. Photo by Blitzo.	Sugar Pine Cone. Photo by Blitzo.	Lots of cool stuff. Photo by Blitzo.
Domes. Photo by Blitzo.	Meadows. Photo by Blitzo.	Lakes. Photo by Blitzo.
Great stone! Photo by Blitzo.	In the oak forest. Photo by Blitzo.	Alpine lilies. Photo by Blitzo.
Lots of poison oak. Photo by Blitzo.	Poison oak is nice in late season color. Photo by ...	The San Andreas Fault has unearthed this beauty ju...