Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 5,837 ft 1,779 m
GPS: 39.75032, -105.24779
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 299,661 total · 1,383/month
Shared By: Kirk Miller on Jul 21, 2008 · Updates
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Warning Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closures DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

The first crag on the left heading up Clear Creek always caught the eye but was a pain to access. This all changed when JCOS put in a new foot bridge, parking area, and access stairs. With surprisingly excellent CCC rock, the crag holds the shade through the mornings until around 2:00 in the summer and stays shady all day in the fall.

For steeper, more challenging routes check out The Twilight Zone, just past The Canal Zone perched on the hillside above.

JCOS has reported an increase in human waste at the Canal Zone. Bathrooms are available at both the Gateway (a 15 minute walk from the East end of Canal Zone) and Tunnel 1 (a 5 minute walk from the West end of Canal Zone) parking areas. Please do your part to keep this popular crag clean!

Getting There Suggest change

Park in the first parking area on the left, right after you enter the canyon. Take the stairs down, cross the bridge, and take a left on the Canal Zone / Twilight Zone Climbing Access Trail. When the trail levels out at the canal, turn right and walk about 1/4 mile to the crag.

*As of 9/1/21 the parking lot at the 2nd pullout is open. Walk down the paved trail to a set of stone stairs on the right, there is a well marked sign that says climber access. Climb the stairs, walk 4 minutes down the trail, and you'll be at the far right side of the crag. 

Google map link. Follow the orange path!

Eds. This used to involve an approach via one of the steep, loose, grotty gullies beyond the parking lot, descent to the foot bridge, and a steep ascend up a loose slope...no longer!

L->R:

Suggest change

A1. Cut Loose, 11-, 1p, 75', bolts.

A2. Bear's Choice, 10, 1p, 75', bolts.

A2B. Bear's Choice Easy Variation, 8+, 1p, 75', bolts.

B. Box of Rain, 8, 1p, 75', bolts.

C. Ripple, 8, 1p, 75', bolts.

D. Venice Beach, 8, 1p, 75', bolts.

E. Holiday Road, 8, 1p, 70', bolts.

F. Dirt Trek, 9, 1p, 132', bolts & gear.

G. Ridin' the Moon Buggy, 9 R, 1p, 70', gear.

H. Berga, 9, 1p, 80', bolts.

I. Beasto, 10, 1p, 70', bolts.

J. Ridin' the Moon Buggy, 9 R, 1p, 70', gear.

K. Turkey Jerky, 10, 1p, 80', bolts.

LM. Snake Eyes, 11, var, bolts.

M. Walking With A Ghost, 11, 1p, 55', bolts. 2 starts.

N. Ivy League, 10-, 1p, 50', bolts.

O. Panama Red, 10-, 1p, 50', bolts.

P. Route Canal, 9, 1p, 50', gear & bolt.

Q. Gondolier Arete, 10-, 1p, 55', bolts.

R. The Wheel, 5, 1p, 60', gear.

S. Have Fun, Do Good Things, 10-, 1p, 70', gear.

T. Made In The Shade, 9-, 1p, 125', bolts.

U. Aretnophobia, 11, 1p, 70', bolts.

VU. ??, 11+, 1p, 70', bolts

V. Batso Canal, 10, 1p, 55', bolts.

W. Lambada, 10, 1p, 60', bolts.

X. Levada, 8+, 1p, 80', bolts.

YZ. The 2021 Evergreen Obstruction, 7, 1p, 60', gear.

A. The Whopper, 9-, 1p, bolts.

AA. Buckets of Rain, 8 or 10-, 1p, 45', bolts.

BB. Lame Line, 8, 1p, 60', gear.

Rattlesnakes

Suggest change

Beware of rattlesnakes along the approach.

29 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: The Canal Zone Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at The Canal Zone

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 590
Holiday Road
Sport
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 500
Venice Beach
Sport
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 593
Ripple
Sport
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 525
Box of Rain
Sport
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 557
Levada
Sport
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c
 922
Made In The Shade
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 588
Ivy League
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 715
Gondolier Arete
Sport
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 877
Panama Red
Sport
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 553
Beasto
Sport
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
 419
Lambada
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 530
Turkey Jerky
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 458
Batso Canal
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 450
Aretnophobia
Sport
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 778
Walking With A Ghost
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Holiday Road
 590
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Venice Beach
 500
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Ripple
 593
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Box of Rain
 525
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Levada
 557
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Made In The Shade
 922
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c Sport
Ivy League
 588
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Gondolier Arete
 715
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Panama Red
 877
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Beasto
 553
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Lambada
 419
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b Sport
Turkey Jerky
 530
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Batso Canal
 458
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Aretnophobia
 450
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Walking With A Ghost
 778
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
More Classic Climbs in The Canal Zone »

Sun & Shade Suggest change

Mostly Shady All Day

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading