All Locations > California > San Bernardino… > Big Bear Lake Area > Big Bear South > Highway 18 Crags > Castle Rock Area

Castle Rock Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in Castle Rock

(a) Castle Rock - Southwest Face 3 / 3 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 6 / 6

(b) Castle Rock - South Face 3 / 4 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 7 / 7

(d) Castle Rock - Black Tower Buttress 3 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 4 / 4

(e) Castle Rock - East Face 5 / 1 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 7 / 7

(f) Castle Rock - North Face 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 3 / 3

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Elevation:	7,389 ft	2,252 m
GPS:	34.23136, -116.96154 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	79,833 total · 343/month
Shared By:	Isaac Tait on Mar 19, 2007 · Updates
Admins:	C Miller, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: Road Closure in Effect Details

SR 38
[IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA]
Is closed from 0.2 mi east of Angelus Oaks /at Mill Creek Rd/ to 4.6 mi east of Angelus Oaks /at Hill Ranch Rd/ (San Bernardino Co) - Due to mudslide - Motorists are advised to use an alternate route

Description

An amazing crag, with superb quality granite located on top of a rather steep hill with jaw dropping views of the mountains and Big Bear Lake. It is a rather secluded area although during the summer due to its high elevation and relatively shady setting the area can attract quite a few climbers. Due to its high elevation it can get a bit breezy and chilly in the late afternoon.

Individual areas of Castle Rock are listed in order from left to right (west to east) while facing the rock.

Getting There

This area can be a little tricky to find as it is marked by a rather small trail sign and the parking area is down the road a bit from the trail. But it is off HWY 18 about 1 mile from the dam. If you are coming from Running springs at the dam you would turn right across the dam and drive for about 2 miles the trail is on your right. The parking area is about 200 feet further on HWY 18 on your Left.

The trail is a surprisingly steep lung buster, the trail is in good condition though and as you get higher the views get even more amazing. Near the top the trail can get a little hard to find but just follow the footprints in a generally south east direction and you will see the crag. The trail is about a mile, and up until April or even May you can be walking through snow to get to Castle Rock, so dress accordingly.

37 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Castle Rock

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a 41 ● Easy As Your Sister's Best Friend Sport, Alpine (e) Castle Rock - E Face
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b 46 ● The Sphynx Trad, Alpine (a) Castle Rock - Sou…
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 73 ● Black Tower Crack Trad, Alpine (e) Castle Rock - E Face
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 39 ● Crossbow Trad, Alpine (c) Castle Rock - Sou…
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 48 ● The Turret Trad, Alpine (a) Castle Rock - Sou…
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 18 ● The Great Steps of Cheops Trad, TR, Alpine (a) Castle Rock - Sou…
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a 63 ● Ball and Chain Sport, Alpine (a) Castle Rock - Sou…
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b 76 ● Knightline Trad, Alpine (c) Castle Rock - Sou…
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b 8 ● Headwall Center Trad, Alpine (d) Castle Rock - Bla…
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b 20 ● Cryptology Sport, Alpine (a) Castle Rock - Sou…
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 28 ● Castle Crack Trad, Alpine (b) Castle Rock - S Face
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b 10 ● Grappling Hooks Trad, Alpine (b) Castle Rock - S Face
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b 29 ● The Roofs Sport, Alpine (b) Castle Rock - S Face
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c 14 ● Holy Fingers Sport, Alpine (a) Castle Rock - Sou…
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a 20 ● King of the Castle Sport, Alpine (b) Castle Rock - S Face