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Elevation: 5,697 ft
GPS: 38.17532, -120.02685
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Shared By: Orphaned User on Sep 24, 2011
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Description Suggest change

The Sonora Pass highway is a short drive from Northern California's major population centers, yet offers rock like Tahoe AND Yosemite without the crowds of either destination.

The low country includes a series of crags along highway 108 from the San Joaquin Valley into the foothills near the town of Sonora itself.

In the fall, Table Mountain, especially around the Grotto, is one of the most beautiful places in the state. However, learn about its paradoxical access issues before visiting the Gold Wall or Jail House Rock areas there. They contain some of the finest climbing around, but aren't documented online or in guidebooks.

Approaches range from roadside pullouts with painted grades (established by the US Marines on public land near their Mountain Warfare Training Center), to remote and wild alpine lines requiring both luck and determination to climb successfully.

The high country is highly seasonal! Sonora Pass closes down every winter, and sometimes with little notice in spring and fall when there's snow on the ground.

A 2013 edition of "A Climber's Guide to the Sonora Pass Highway" may increase visits.

Other updates beyond the book can be found at the Sonora Pass Climbing website.

Some bouldering areas include:

Getting There Suggest change

From the west, head east on Hwy 108 from the small community of Sonora.

From the east, head west on Hwy 108 from Bridgeport at the junction of Hwy 395.

Note that the highway is closed in winter, generally November through May. Check dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/sr108 for road conditions and closures.

647 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Sonora Pass Highway (108)

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V5 6C PG13
 9
The Minotaur
Boulder
V6 7A
 19
Triple Cracks
Boulder
V8 7B
 10
Ultimate Trogdor
Boulder
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 117
Three Fingered Jack
Trad
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 214
AC Devil Dog
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 151
Rawhide
Trad
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 78
Snake Bite
Trad
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 11
Green Monster
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 27
Whipping Boy
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 19
Iron Junkie
Sport
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 11
Insecurity
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 42
Soap on a Rope
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 27
Fugitive
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 14
Cell Block
Sport
5.13c 8a+ 30 X- 31 E7 7a
 10
Jailbait
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
The Minotaur Columbia Boulde… > Labyrinth > Labyrinth Main
 9
V5 6C PG13 Boulder
Triple Cracks Columbia Boulde… > Lower Arboretum > Triple Cracks Boulder
 19
V6 7A Boulder
Ultimate Trogdor Columbia Boulde… > Lower Arboretum > Trogdor Arete
 10
V8 7B Boulder
Three Fingered Jack Table Mountain > Grotto
 117
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
AC Devil Dog Table Mountain > Grotto
 214
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Rawhide Table Mountain > Grotto
 151
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad
Snake Bite Table Mountain > Grotto
 78
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Trad
Green Monster Rd 5N06 Area > Lost World > Cold Joint Wall - Rig…
 11
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Whipping Boy Jailhouse Rock
 27
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Iron Junkie Jailhouse Rock
 19
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
Insecurity Jailhouse Rock
 11
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Sport
Soap on a Rope Jailhouse Rock
 42
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
Fugitive Jailhouse Rock
 27
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
Cell Block Jailhouse Rock
 14
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
Jailbait Jailhouse Rock
 10
5.13c 8a+ 30 X- 31 E7 7a Sport
More Classic Climbs in Sonora Pass Highway (108) »

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