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Elevation: 7,700 ft 2,347 m
GPS: 37.59524, -119.07919
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 81,627 total · 354/month
Shared By: Tom Helvie on Jan 23, 2007 · Updates
Admins: Aron Quiter, Euan Cameron, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes
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Description Suggest change

Bear Crag is the best summer, "steep" crag on the eastside. On some of the climbs the first few feet are not the best rock quality, but after you get past that rock quality is excellent. The climbing is mostly steep jughauling on blocky, volcanic rock. The climbs are well protected with bolts. Logistically, this cliff is somewhat of a nightmare. It is located in the Reds Meadow area. What this means is that you must get up early (gate closes at 7am) to drive in or you'll have to take the shuttle. There is also a $7 per day use fee. It will take you approximately 45 minutes to get to the crag, but you'll probably be rewarded with solitude. Be sure you take a pruner/clippers so you can help keep the trail clear of the thorn bushes. Depending on where you climb at Bear Crag, the climbs go in the sun between 1 and 2 pm.

Getting There Suggest change

From the Rainbow Falls Parking area (just below the Red's Meadow Resort) follow the trail toward Rainbow Falls. You will come to a junction (this junction is after the junction with the Pacific Crest/John Muir junction) that has 2 signs facing the opposite direction and say Resort/Parking/bus stop/etc. After this junction continue on the Rainbow Falls Trail another 250' and you will come to three burnt tree stumps on the left. These trees start near one another (within 15 feet or so) and radiate out away from one another. These trees are 30" diameter and are 20, 35 and 40 feet tall (these trees were here 6/2014 so be aware they will fall at some time) You will find a use trail just past these 3 trees. Follow this use trail for 300 feet and you will arrive at a stock trail. Go right on this stock trail and follow it downhill until you cross Boundary Creek. Continue on the stock trail for another 200 feet heading downhill and curving right and you will arrive at a use trail on the left. Follow this trail to the Crag.

51 Total Climbs

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Location: Bear Crag Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Bear Crag

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 56
● Chicks Dig It
Sport
7) The Columns
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 33
● Optimizer
Sport
6) Teflon Wall
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 40
● Friendly Fire
Sport
7) The Columns
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 18
● Garden Route
Sport
6) Teflon Wall
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 19
● Cable Guy
Sport
6) Teflon Wall
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 16
● Reanimator
Sport
3) The Tombstone
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 40
● Jagged Sky
Sport
8) S Buttress
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 42
● Mercy Buckets
Sport
7) The Columns
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 10
● Cone of Silence
Sport
6) Teflon Wall
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 25
● Penetrator
Sport
4) Unenchanted Forest
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 24
● Flamed Thrower
Sport
7) The Columns
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 16
● Bear Backin It
Sport
7) The Columns
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 19
● Flying Circus
Sport
7) The Columns
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 8
● To the Grave
Sport
3) The Tombstone
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 15
● Tension Tamer
Sport
5) Huber Wall
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Chicks Dig It 7) The Columns
 56
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
● Optimizer 6) Teflon Wall
 33
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
● Friendly Fire 7) The Columns
 40
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
● Garden Route 6) Teflon Wall
 18
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
● Cable Guy 6) Teflon Wall
 19
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
● Reanimator 3) The Tombstone
 16
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
● Jagged Sky 8) S Buttress
 40
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
● Mercy Buckets 7) The Columns
 42
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
● Cone of Silence 6) Teflon Wall
 10
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
● Penetrator 4) Unenchanted Forest
 25
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
● Flamed Thrower 7) The Columns
 24
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
● Bear Backin It 7) The Columns
 16
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
● Flying Circus 7) The Columns
 19
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
● To the Grave 3) The Tombstone
 8
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Sport
● Tension Tamer 5) Huber Wall
 15
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
More Classic Climbs in Bear Crag »

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Overview directions to the Bear Crag
Overview directions to the Bear Crag
 1
The turn from the stock trail towards the crag.
The turn from the stock trail towards the crag.
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