Elevation: 2,539 ft
GPS: 37.9291, -122.578
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 192,420 total · 765/month
Shared By: Aron Quiter on Oct 5, 2002 · Updates
Admins: Aron Quiter, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes
Access Issue: Park closed nightly from sunset to 7:00 am Details

Description

Located high above the North Bay, Mt. Tamalpais was once the site of an old hotel. While the hotel is gone, an observation tower remains on the East peak, and is surrounded by jagged volcanic rock that holds some interesting climbing.

Containing mostly easier climbs (5.3 - 5.11b), Mt. Tamalpais is a great place to teach someone how to climb, set up a top rope, or a great place for a first trad lead.

The climbing primarily faces east, and offers incredible views of the rest of the bay area. Because of it's direction, you will find most of the climbing in the shade in the afternoon. If you're going to be there a while, don't forget to head up to the observation tower for an incredible Pacific sunset.

Due to the rugged nature of the rock, it's probably best to either walk off most climbs, or to rappell from the top.

Depending on the day, you may have to pay $8 to park in the park, but then again, you might not.

Always check the Mount Tamalpais State Park website for current information.

Getting There

From the 101 North of San Francisco, exit the freeway and head north on the 1 towards Stinson Beach. A short while later, hang a left on Shoreline, until a fork in the road. At the fork, head left on Panormic Highway, which will also have a sign stating the correct direction to get to Mt. Tamalpais. Stay on Panoramic until you see yet another sign on the road, telling you to got right on Pantoll road.

Head 1.4 miles up Pan Toll Road, and then head right on East Ridgecrest Blvd, once again following the signs to Mt. Tamalpia's East Summit. The parking lot will be at the end of the road, 2.8 miles later. *Google Maps might tell you Pan Toll Road is closed, because it is only open 7 AM to sunset.*

All climbing is accessed via the Plank trail, which will have a sign stating .3 miles to the observation tower.

99 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Mount Tamalpais

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V2-3 5+
 28
Bootjack Arete
Boulder
V3 6A
 18
Scenic Cruise
Boulder
V3 6A
 12
The Old Man Card
Boulder
V4- 6B
 15
Instinct
Boulder
V4 6B
 34
Intuition
Boulder
V5 6C
 16
Snake Charmer
Boulder
V6 7A
 19
Crumble Mumble
Boulder
V6 7A
 3
ATF traverse
Boulder
V7 7A+
 11
Bonum Vitae
Boulder
V7 7A+
 12
The Little Adventure
Boulder
V8 7B
 8
Campus Girlz
Boulder
V9- 7C
 11
Wicked
Boulder
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 25
Equinox
TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R
 19
Southeastern Arete
Trad, TR
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 11
Eastern Face
TR
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Bootjack Arete Mt Tam Boulders > Bootjack Boulders
 28
V2-3 5+ Boulder
Scenic Cruise Mt Tam Boulders > Bay View Boulder
 18
V3 6A Boulder
The Old Man Card Mt Tam Boulders > Lakeview Boulders > Corridor Boulder
 12
V3 6A Boulder
Instinct Mt Tam Boulders > Bootjack Boulders
 15
V4- 6B Boulder
Intuition Mt Tam Boulders > Bootjack Boulders
 34
V4 6B Boulder
Snake Charmer Mt Tam Boulders > ATF Boulder
 16
V5 6C Boulder
Crumble Mumble Mt Tam Boulders > Ravine Boulder
 19
V6 7A Boulder
ATF traverse Mt Tam Boulders > ATF Boulder
 3
V6 7A Boulder
Bonum Vitae Mt Tam Boulders > Ravine Boulder
 11
V7 7A+ Boulder
The Little Adventure Mt Tam Boulders > Lakeview Boulders > Pee Wee’s Playhouse
 12
V7 7A+ Boulder
Campus Girlz Mt Tam Boulders > Lakeview Boulders > Cairn Boulder
 8
V8 7B Boulder
Wicked Mt Tam Boulders > Ravine Boulder
 11
V9- 7C Boulder
Equinox Northern Formation, The
 25
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c TR
Southeastern Arete Leaning Tower, The
 19
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R Trad, TR
Eastern Face Leaning Tower, The
 11
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b TR
More Classic Climbs in Mount Tamalpais »

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