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Elevation: 4,758 ft
GPS: 34.4139, -117.85868
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
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Shared By: Bill Olszewski on Apr 16, 2009 · Updates
Admins: C Miller, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes

Description Suggest change

The Devil's Punchbowl is the hidden gem of Los Angeles County. Nestled into the northern foothills of the San Gabriel mountain range, this county park is blessed with white sandstone strata, pushed skyward by the geologic activity of the San Andreas Fault and other nearby fault lines.

 These soft slabs are beautiful to see and great to climb. While many do not care for slab climbing, or feel uncomfortable on sandstone, the climbing here presents a variety of style in a beautiful setting where the high desert meets the mountains. Although not a replacement for the sport climbing of the now closed Williamson area, anyone looking for a change from the routine, or needing to work on their slab technique, should give DPB a try. And soft sandstone is very easy on the fingertips! Just remember to always pull down on flakes, never outward. ;-)

The park is open from sunrise to sunset and there are no fees associated. This is a very popular spot for day hikers and nature classes. The County of Los Angeles Parks and Recreation department offers many guided hikes and other activities for visitors. Please go to devils-punchbowl.com for more information. Be sure also to check out the live snake collection in the welcome center and say hello to Ruth

Some years ago there was a move to ban climbing in the Punch Bowl. Luckily, cooler heads prevailed. But for the purpose of keeping this wonderful area open to climbing, please be very respectful of the area, obey park rules, use only proper trails, pack out everything that you bring in, and note that no new route development is allowed, and no bolting. If you find bolts in need of replacement, please contact the ASCA, and they can work with the Parks and Rec department of Los Angeles County on our behalf.

Amenities: There are several small markets in Pearblossom for basic supplies, near and on the corner of CA-138 and Longview. There are a couple restaurants nearby these markets, as well as a wider selection in the towns of Little Rock and Palmdale, not far to the west, along the CA-138.

Camping:  There are two campgrounds nearby with sites for tents as well as RV's. Both have toilets and fire pits, one has running water. Both require an Adventure Pass and according to the first link (scroll down to find the campgrounds, listed in alphabetical order), both are free. But according to the second link, South Fork charges $8/night.

Sycamore Flat Campground

South Fork Campground

Getting There Suggest change

From the I-15: take the Palmdale/Silverwood Lake exit and drive west on CA-138, (or west on CA-18 if coming from the north – the CA-18 will eventually merge with the CA-138), 30.1 miles to the town of Pearblossom.

From the I-5: take the Palmdale/Lancaster exit and drive north on the CA-14 for 29.7 miles. Take exit #30 (Angeles Forest Hwy/Pearblossom Hwy) and drive 0.3 miles to Sierra Hwy. Turn left on Sierra Hwy and drive 1.2 miles to Pearblossom Hwy. Turn right and continue east for 13.2 miles to the town of Pearblossom.

From Pearblossom: turn south on Longview Rd. At the T intersection (2.2 mi) turn left onto Ft. Tejon Rd. After 0.3 miles, turn right onto Longview Rd. Continue 2.3 miles and turn left onto Tumbleweed Rd. (which turns into Devil’s Punchbowl Rd.) Drive 2.9 miles to the end of the road/parking lot. 28000 Devil's Punchbowl Rd., Pearblossom Ca. 93553

59 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Devil's Punchbowl

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 26
Slot Machine
Trad, Sport
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 17
Tree Corner
Trad, Sport 2 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 16
Velcro
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 41
Overhanger
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 36
Joke Book
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 22
Index
Sport
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 19
Lower Bolt Route
Sport 2 pitches
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 20
Spike the Punch
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 28
Rough Draft
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 20
Blacklisted
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 12
Arched Demon
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 10
Lacking Editude
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 8
Big Electric Cat
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 10
Diminishing Returns
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 9
Best Seller
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Slot Machine S Area > VD (Very Direct) Wall
 26
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad, Sport
Tree Corner S Area > VD (Very Direct) Wall
 17
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad, Sport 2 pitches
Velcro S Area > VD (Very Direct) Wall
 16
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Overhanger S Area > VD (Very Direct) Wall
 41
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Joke Book N Area > Attitude Wall
 36
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Index N Area > Attitude Wall
 22
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Lower Bolt Route S Area > VD (Very Direct) Wall
 19
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport 2 pitches
Spike the Punch S Area > VD (Very Direct) Wall
 20
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Rough Draft N Area > Attitude Wall
 28
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Blacklisted N Area > Little Attitude Wall
 20
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Arched Demon S Area > VD (Very Direct) Wall
 12
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Lacking Editude N Area > Attitude Wall
 10
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Big Electric Cat N Area > Gorilla Face
 8
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Diminishing Returns N Area > Hidden Wall
 10
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Best Seller N Area > Attitude Wall
 9
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
More Classic Climbs in Devil's Punchbowl »

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