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Scot Rock

California > San Bernardino… > Lake Arrowhead Area
Warning Access Issue: Residential area DetailsDrop down

Description

Scot rock is a beautiful 200 foot piece of granite, set on the south flank of the San Bernardino Mountains near Lake Arrowhead, visible from the San Bernardino valley on a clear day. The rock is of high quality and divided into two faces with technical climbing. The south face runs the full 200 feet featuring two bolted multi-pitch moderates, plus a 5.12a mixed route and the classic Tipton's Arete (5.12a). The west face is about 80 feet high and is home to five bolted lines, a trad route and a mixed route. Both faces have a variety of climbing from crack to face to slab; most routes reflect this diversity. All climbs end at bolted chain anchors for rappel. The best way to exit the area is to haul everything up to the anchor when doing the final climb, then load up and head back up the trail. Although not a destination crag, Scot Rock is a great place to spend a day climbing.

Getting There

Scot Rock is accessed from CA-18, the Rim of the World highway. There are two ways to reach the parking lot:

  •  Head up the CA-18 from San Bernardino (Waterman Ave. from the CA-210) toward Crestline. Continue east on CA-18 to Crest Park, about ½ mile past Rim of the World High School.
  • Or take the CA-330 from CA-210 (CA-30) at Highland, towards Running Springs. Take CA-18 west toward Lake Arrowhead. Continue to Crest Park, about ¼ mile past the CA-173/Lake Arrowhead exit.

 From this parking lot, walk west through the picnic area, heading slightly right to gain the paved fire road. This is also a private drive for a few homes in the area so please be respectful.

Follow the pavement as it curves downhill to the left. Head into the open lot on the left before reaching the homes. At the far side of the open space, find a trail and follow the cairns south along the ridge. The trail turns to the southwest at a hilltop and follows talus steeply down to the top of Scot Rock.

 Pick an anchor and rap to the base of either wall. Be aware that this requires some exposed and unprotected easy scrambling. When rapping down the south face you will need to find the lower anchors; following the line of Highlander will require three raps.

  •  Allow about 20 minutes for the hike in, somewhat longer to hike the 500 foot elevation gain back to the car.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Nathan Fitzhugh having some fun on Neil's not Young Anymore.
[Hide Photo] Nathan Fitzhugh having some fun on Neil's not Young Anymore.
Just one more nice shot of the valley on a beautiful day - Riverside lost under a sea of clouds.
[Hide Photo] Just one more nice shot of the valley on a beautiful day - Riverside lost under a sea of clouds.
Taking in the views from above Scot Rock.
[Hide Photo] Taking in the views from above Scot Rock.
Trever rapping off Scot Rock.
[Hide Photo] Trever rapping off Scot Rock.
Watching the fog roll in from Scot Rock
[Hide Photo] Watching the fog roll in from Scot Rock
At the rappel anchor for descending Bonnie Brae/Highlander.
[Hide Photo] At the rappel anchor for descending Bonnie Brae/Highlander.
Sara at the top of Scot Rock.
[Hide Photo] Sara at the top of Scot Rock.
On top of Scot Rock. Great photo by Noelle Ladd.
[Hide Photo] On top of Scot Rock. Great photo by Noelle Ladd.
This is what you're looking for when driving the CA-18.
[Hide Photo] This is what you're looking for when driving the CA-18.
The top of Scot Rock on the approach.
[Hide Photo] The top of Scot Rock on the approach.
View from the top of Scot Rock, looking down at the anchor used to rap before climbing the west face.
[Hide Photo] View from the top of Scot Rock, looking down at the anchor used to rap before climbing the west face.
The trail continues down to the rounded summit then turns to the right, heading steeply down to Scot Rock.
[Hide Photo] The trail continues down to the rounded summit then turns to the right, heading steeply down to Scot Rock.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

[Hide Comment] This is a worthy area to visit but make sure you go when it's cool or get there early as it's very exposed and can get hot. Jun 18, 2009
Chris Owen
Big Bear Lake
[Hide Comment] Good directions Bill. Agreed, what a great spot. Oct 17, 2014
TacoDelRio
All up in yo bidniss.
[Hide Comment] I dig it. Neat slab climbing here. Thanks for the work in making that trail and putting those routes up. I appreciate it. Feb 21, 2016
Sean
Oak Park, CA
[Hide Comment] came across a baby rattler while going up The Tube that connects top of Scot Rock back up to the manzanitas plateau. close quarters with little room to step back. happened around mid-day on our way out. standard fare in the wild outdoors, of course. just a headsup. be careful out there Aug 17, 2016
David Aldama
San Diego North County
[Hide Comment] Just spent three days cutting down a lot of the over-growth on the trail. Hopefully it gets more traffic now. Dec 15, 2016
A C
San Diego, CA
[Hide Comment] Taking the road down as described in the directions requires passing multiple “No Trespassing” signs. An alternative exists that seems like it sticks to public lands, or is at least lower profile. At the back of one of the picnic table/grill sites (second or third site left of the paved road) there is a thin trail that starts next to a cut tree stump, winds down the meadow, then into a gully. Follow this down until you get to the clearing, stick to the left side of that, and an opening to a much wider and better maintained trail will appear on the left and take you down to Scot Rock. This route may be better to take to avoid access issues. Jul 4, 2020
D. Evans
Tustin, California
[Hide Comment] Trail overgrown with thorns etc. As of last weekend pretty nasty and i was wearing long pants.
Stairmaster hike out... don't do it in the worst heat like we did. But... the whole place is in the sun after 1030.
The anchor bolts are very rusty. We backed them up.

Worthy though. Jul 18, 2022