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Monolith Rock Climbing
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| Elevation: | 1,674 ft | 510 m |
| GPS: |
36.47327, -121.18668 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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| Page Views: | 96,319 total · 360/month | |
| Shared By: | mungeclimber on Dec 16, 2002 | |
| Admins: | andy patterson, Aron Quiter, Bruce Hildenbrand, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes |
Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closures
Details
Always check this web page before you visit for current conditions and nesting closures:
Current Raptor Advisories for Pinnacles National Park nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/…
and
pinnacles.org/climbing_info…
Closures effective as of the day after Martin Luther King Day- July 3. Check closure website for details on closed areas.
SPECIAL NOTICE: Condors have been establishing nests at the Pinnacles National Monument. Since condors develop to fledgling more slowly than raptors and vultures closures due to condor nesting is extended past the usual Martin Luther King Day to July 3rd. Again, please check the "Current Raptor Advisory" section of the NPS website and/or the Friends of Pinnacles website for current closures.
As of July 2024 there are three active Condor nests at Pinnacles National Park.
The Machete Ridge area is closed from Pigeon Crack on west face then west around the south side to The Hideout including the popular Old Original.
All climbing routes at Crowley Towers are closed.
All routes on the Yaks and Yaks Wall plus Marauder.
Current Raptor Advisories for Pinnacles National Park nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/…
and
pinnacles.org/climbing_info…
Closures effective as of the day after Martin Luther King Day- July 3. Check closure website for details on closed areas.
SPECIAL NOTICE: Condors have been establishing nests at the Pinnacles National Monument. Since condors develop to fledgling more slowly than raptors and vultures closures due to condor nesting is extended past the usual Martin Luther King Day to July 3rd. Again, please check the "Current Raptor Advisory" section of the NPS website and/or the Friends of Pinnacles website for current closures.
As of July 2024 there are three active Condor nests at Pinnacles National Park.
The Machete Ridge area is closed from Pigeon Crack on west face then west around the south side to The Hideout including the popular Old Original.
All climbing routes at Crowley Towers are closed.
All routes on the Yaks and Yaks Wall plus Marauder.
Description
Monolith (historically known as Vasquez's Monolith) has some of the best climbing the Eastern District has to offer. Steep and solid (generally). It also has some of the hardest sport climbs in the Monument.
As a bit of history, the first known ascent of the Monolith was made on February 17, 1935 by David & Ralph Brower, Bill Van Vorrhis and George Rockwood. The enterprising group climbed the big oak tree which overhangs the northern end of the east face and stepped across onto the rock near the top of the first pitch of the Regular Route. They scampered to the summit from there and apparently downclimbed the tree on their way back down.
As a bit of history, the first known ascent of the Monolith was made on February 17, 1935 by David & Ralph Brower, Bill Van Vorrhis and George Rockwood. The enterprising group climbed the big oak tree which overhangs the northern end of the east face and stepped across onto the rock near the top of the first pitch of the Regular Route. They scampered to the summit from there and apparently downclimbed the tree on their way back down.
Classic Climbing Routes at Monolith
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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Photos
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