All Locations > California > Los Angeles Basin > Santa Ana Mountains

Ortega Falls Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in Ortega Falls

Foot Loose Boulder 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1

Lower Falls 0 / 0 / 0 / 7 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 7

Mi Boulder 0 / 0 / 0 / 5 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 5

Middle Cliff 1 / 0 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 3

Sandbar Area 0 / 0 / 2 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2

Three Tiers, The 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1

Tike Rock 1 / 0 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 3

Toprope Wall 11 / 1 / 12 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 14

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Elevation:	2,193 ft	668 m
GPS:	33.62581, -117.42639 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	74,341 total · 356/month
Shared By:	Nate "Mustang" Johnson on Aug 3, 2007 · Updates
Admins:	jt512, Nicole Wiesenthal, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

Ortega Falls is a well-trafficked climbing area that attracts climbers, highliners, tourists, and graffiti artists alike. There are some bouldering opportunities in the riverbed to the south. In fact, you can follow it down all the way to the San Juan Canyon area. The rock is characteristically water polished and can be very slick. Depending on the time of day it can be a nice shady place and usually has a pleasant breeze to mellow out the heat.

Getting There

Ortega Falls is located at the heart of the Trabuco Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest. From Orange County, drive 18 miles down Highway 74 until you pass the candy store. After two switchbacks, you'll come upon a very wide pull out that feels like an overlook. Park here. Alternatively, from Riverside, drive 7.3 miles down Highway 74. The falls will be visible from the turn out. There are several small Western trails that will all take you down to the main riverbed system.

36 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Ortega Falls

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

5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 90 ● Dihedral Trad, TR Toprope Wall
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 46 ● Horn Trad, TR Toprope Wall
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 73 ● Fingers Trad, TR Toprope Wall
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 12 ● Steak n' Potatoes TR Toprope Wall
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b 44 ● Polished Trad, TR Toprope Wall
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b 19 ● Splitter Trad, TR Toprope Wall