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Black Mountain Bouldering
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| Elevation: | 7,508 ft | 2,288 m |
| GPS: |
33.82629, -116.7591 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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| Page Views: | 648,196 total · 2,994/month | |
| Shared By: | Obi on Jul 9, 2007 · Updates | |
| Admins: | Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes |
Access Issue: If you don't want to cause access issues please make it a point to be on your best behavior.
Details
If you are coming up, note the following:
-There are no fires allowed anywhere, including the boulder basin & group campsites.
-Please carpool, parking is limited, so if you show up and there is nowhere reasonable for you to park, you must leave. (instead of parking somewhere unreasonable).
-Bring cash to park, lots of people showing up without cash. Even if you don't camp overnight, you still must pay for day parking.
-Don't climb boulders in/ around occupied camp sites (some say ask, personally I just go somewhere else).
-Spread out a bit.
-There are no fires allowed anywhere, including the boulder basin & group campsites.
-Please carpool, parking is limited, so if you show up and there is nowhere reasonable for you to park, you must leave. (instead of parking somewhere unreasonable).
-Bring cash to park, lots of people showing up without cash. Even if you don't camp overnight, you still must pay for day parking.
-Don't climb boulders in/ around occupied camp sites (some say ask, personally I just go somewhere else).
-Spread out a bit.
Description
A premier bouldering locale of Southern California, the granite boulders call out to any climber who visits this area. A variety of boulder problems are found, both in terms of steepness and grades. Located at 7500 ft, bouldering here is in a beautiful mountain setting - pine trees are as plentiful as the boulders are.
Most newcomers to Black Mountain quickly notice two things: 1) the problems here are often tall and off-the-deck 2) the ratings are HARD for the grade. Fear not - many of the most visible problems are indeed tall (20+ feet in Boulder Basin), but shorter problems can be found if one looks close enough. As for the grades, I'd suggest leaving your egos at home...
The area is primarily a summer and fall destination site. The rangers lock the gates to Black Mountain during the winter and early spring months. Check this website (scroll down) or call the Idyllwild Ranger Station (909-382-2921) regarding questions about access to Boulder Basin campground if in doubt.
Weekends can be crowded, especially in Boulder Basin with many families (read: groups with kids) running around. Please be courteous and ask for permission before climbing on any problems that are in someone else's campsite.
Pit toilets are available in Boulder Basin. Although water (technically not drinkable...) can be piped into the campsite, spigots are shut off during drought seasons. Be sure to bring your own water just in case.
Camping: $10 dollars per night for a site in Boulder Basin Campground.
Parking outside of the campsites is extremely limited. Be Green and carpool if at all possible. Contact the rangers in Idyllwild for more information.
Most newcomers to Black Mountain quickly notice two things: 1) the problems here are often tall and off-the-deck 2) the ratings are HARD for the grade. Fear not - many of the most visible problems are indeed tall (20+ feet in Boulder Basin), but shorter problems can be found if one looks close enough. As for the grades, I'd suggest leaving your egos at home...
The area is primarily a summer and fall destination site. The rangers lock the gates to Black Mountain during the winter and early spring months. Check this website (scroll down) or call the Idyllwild Ranger Station (909-382-2921) regarding questions about access to Boulder Basin campground if in doubt.
Weekends can be crowded, especially in Boulder Basin with many families (read: groups with kids) running around. Please be courteous and ask for permission before climbing on any problems that are in someone else's campsite.
Pit toilets are available in Boulder Basin. Although water (technically not drinkable...) can be piped into the campsite, spigots are shut off during drought seasons. Be sure to bring your own water just in case.
Camping: $10 dollars per night for a site in Boulder Basin Campground.
Parking outside of the campsites is extremely limited. Be Green and carpool if at all possible. Contact the rangers in Idyllwild for more information.
- A website exists for Black Mountain here - blackmountainbouldering.com/
Getting There
From L.A., take Interstate 10 east. Get off at highway 243 and head south towards Idyllwild. After about 30 minutes, turn left onto Black Mountain Road (look for a sign that says "Boulder Basin Campground").
After about 5 miles, you will arrive at OK Corral. A little less than a mile up the road, take the left turn towards Boulder Basin.
After about 5 miles, you will arrive at OK Corral. A little less than a mile up the road, take the left turn towards Boulder Basin.
- Please note that the 6 miles of dirt road is rough. Each year the road is in varying states of "drivable conditions". Generally, although it is possible to make it up the dirt road, I would highly recommend a 4x4 vehicle. Please drive slowly on this road as it narrows in places.
Classic Climbing Routes at Black Mountain
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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