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Elevation: 1,588 ft
GPS: 37.926, -120.4635
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 146,036 total · 552/month
Shared By: Brian Quiter on Jun 22, 2002 · Updates
Admins: Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes
Warning Access Issue: Agreement in place at Gold Wall. Respect signs and private property owners near the crags. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

The trail which is typically used to access the Grotto is deteriorating and has many loose blocks which are likely to shift and roll with the slightest movement. This gully has already resulted in a serious accident where several climbers were hurt due to rockfall. Extreme caution should be taken when entering and exiting the gully. Alternate approaches or destinations should be considered when climbing with members of a party who may not have extensive experience scrambling through extremely loose and unstable terrain. 


The Grotto is one of the most alien places I've ever seen (alongside Joshua Tree)! You're in a 30-foot deep pit, surrounded by climbing. The main wall is columnar basalt until it gets to the surrounding ground level, then becomes more featured and very overhung above ground.The area is also a lot cooler due to its location, and doesn't see much sun. The lower part of the wall has mainly trad climbs, though a few bolted routes like the classic AC Devil Dog are present too. The upper wall is all sport and is mostly very difficult. It can only be reached by climbing the lower routes first.

Getting There Suggest change

Approach time: 20 - 25 minutes.

NOTE - THERE IS NO CAMPING ALLOWED ON SHELL ROAD ANYWHERE. 

Use the "Getting There" description for Welcome Wall, then simply continue left another 2 minutes on the trail. You'll go down a steep trail between some rocks, and you will see the columnar Grotto in front of you on the right, the Ort Wall on the left, and The Cave Routes ahead and left.

29 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: The Grotto Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at The Grotto

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 182
Bandito
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 180
Table Manners
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 152
Go with the Flow
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 108
Granted
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 76
Hole in the Wall
Trad
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 53
Chicken Ranch Bingo
Sport
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
 23
To Pin or Not To Be
Trad
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 151
Rawhide
Trad
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 40
Table Manners - Left
Trad
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 78
Snake Bite
Trad
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 36
Squealer
Trad, Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 37
Men's Crisis Center
Trad
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 23
Flight Simulator
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Bandito
 182
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
Table Manners
 180
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
Go with the Flow
 152
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Granted
 108
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Hole in the Wall
 76
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Chicken Ranch Bingo
 53
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Three Fingered Jack
 117
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
AC Devil Dog
 214
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
To Pin or Not To Be
 23
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad
Rawhide
 151
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad
Table Manners - Left
 40
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad
Snake Bite
 78
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Trad
Squealer
 36
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad, Sport
Men's Crisis Center
 37
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Trad
Flight Simulator
 23
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in The Grotto »

Sun & Shade Suggest change

Mostly Shady All Day

Details: It is a sort of cave, bring warm clothing

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