SPECIAL NOTICE: due to nesting condors the Machete Ridge area may be closed, from Dos Equis / Corona on west face then west around the south side to The Hideout including the popular Old Original. Check the NPS and Friends of Pinnacles websites for further information.
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.
Getting There
Follow the Moses Springs Trail from the southern (left) end of Discovery Wall. The largest "boulder" in the jumble of rocks in the canyon floor is the Monolith. The trail is well marked Monument style of trail.
[Hide Photo] Monolith up close. The yellow dashes mark P.O.D, 5.11a. Wild lieback move to the first bolt! 12-17-09 When the rest of the USA was in the deep freeze.
[Hide Photo] Monolith, The Back Door photo by Tom Slater slatervision.com
[Hide Comment] Analise, are you confusing The Monolith (on the East Side) with Machete Ridge (a huge formation on the West Side)?
The Monolith has never been closed for raptor or condor nesting.
The south end of Machete Ridge is currently closed not for raptors, but for a condor nest (wish this breeding pair luck, they've succeeded before!).
Apr 5, 2022
Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closures
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Silicon Valley/Boulder
Twain Harte, CA
The Monolith has never been closed for raptor or condor nesting.
The south end of Machete Ridge is currently closed not for raptors, but for a condor nest (wish this breeding pair luck, they've succeeded before!). Apr 5, 2022