Senior Wall Rock Climbing

Approach time: 42 - 62 minutes

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

Beware of poison oak at all hiking sections of the approach. It is everywhere. Additionally, the only truly feasible way to get here involves a rappel (95 foot). So, if you plan to do a dual-strand rappel-in, you'll need a 70m rope. The anchors for the rappel-in are the same you would use to get out. It is imperative that anybody who climbs here is capable of confidently climbing a long (albeit, relatively easy) 5.8, and you are able to bring your gear with you in some way (either climbing a 5.8 with your gear, or running a tow line). There is an alternative exit via a very easy climb up a dried-out waterfall, but it would require trad gear to do safely.

When you reach shell road, you'll be on a lengthy dirt path. You can park in the main parking area (by the beginning of shell road) or later down the road. Note that the road past the main parking area is quite poorly maintained, and has poor clearance for small vehicles. As you drive down the road, you'll eventually come to an outhouse with an additional parking area. There will be a white gate on your left, with a path next to it. Follow this path (this path is marked on all trails).

As you follow this path, approximately 1/3 mile down you'll come to a split in the path. Take the left. It will be slightly overgrown, but it will be very obvious that it is a traveled route (this path is also marked on all trails). About 0.1 miles down this, you'll see a sign labeled "Table Mountain Trail" that cuts off to the right, to a sequence of switchbacks (this path is NOT marked on all trails, as of June, 2025). Take it to the top. This will put you at the top of the mountain. Watch out for snakes.

From the top of the mountain where the trail lets you out, walk with a south/south west heading (approximately 190 -> 200 degrees on a compass from where the table mountain trail emerges at the top of the mountain). When you get to the other side, you'll be at an "elbow" in the mountain top, looking from above. If you walk along the south edge of this elbow, you'll eventually reach a large, very obvious, gully on the south side of the top section of the mountain (approximately 190 -> 200 degrees from your starting point at the hill top). Start walking closer to the edge, peering over occasionally. You'll get to a point where there will be a small ledge, which is approximately 10 feet from the edge of the plateau of the mountain top and about 10 feet down. Begin looking for the rappel rings for "Senior Discount" on the Senior wall, which are moderately difficult to find. PROCEED WITH EXTREME CAUTION to the rappel rings (the scramble is short and easy, but the consequences are a 120 foot fall), and rappel into the base of Senior wall.

Note that the distance to the ground is 95 feet, so the rappel in will require a 70m rope. 

There are alternative routes to the bottom, but with the recent addition of the rappel rings, they are effectively completely impassable, as they have become heavily overgrown, and could no longer reasonably be considered "trails". You'll be bushwacking through extremely dense saplings, bushes, trees, and poison oak, and a heavy presence of ticks and spiders. If you choose to take one of these approaches that does not require a rappel in, be prepared with a machete, a small axe, long clothes, and perhaps a face covering that you can change out of for your climb, and back into for your return, to avoid direct exposure of your skin to the plants and insects. Proceed with caution if you choose one of these alternative routes.