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Penstemon Dome Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in Penstemon Dome

Penstemon Dome (East Face) 0 / 4 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 4 / 4

Penstemon Dome (West Face) 8 / 4 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 12 / 12

Elevation:	8,708 ft
GPS:	37.08623, -118.95548 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	16,618 total · 119/month
Shared By:	John Knight on Nov 30, 2011
Admins:	Cory B, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes Page Updates (admin only)

Access Issue: Area closed until June 30th, 2023 Details

Sierra National Forest has extended a large closure covering many popular Western Sierra climbing areas including Shuteye Ridge, the Balls, Courtright Reservoir etc.
Area is closed until at least June 30th

fs.usda.gov/alerts/sierra/a…

Description

Penstemon Dome has a variety of bolted and traditionally protected routes from 5.5 to 5.12. The clean rock, height of the dome, and variety of grades; make this dome a "mandatory" destination for those visiting Courtright.

Getting There

From the Maxon Parking lot, head down the 4WD trail until you see the creek on your right. Follow the creek upstream a few minutes then cross over and head uphill toward the southwest face of the dome.

You can orient yourself by a large evergreen (pine?) tree that is directly in front of the dome. Most of the climbing routes are accessed by climbing the short 5.8 crack that is to the left of the tree. Access to the dome takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

16 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Penstemon Dome

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

5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b 5 ● Sunday Hoe-down Trad, Alpine 4 pitches Penstemon Dome (W Face)
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 6 ● Crooked Neck Trad, Alpine 6 pitches Penstemon Dome (W Face)
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 3 ● Rope-A-Dope Sport, Alpine Penstemon Dome (W Face)
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 6 ● Rachel's Garden Sport, Alpine 2 pitches Penstemon Dome (W Face)
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 5 ● Pretend to be Your Friend Sport, Alpine Penstemon Dome (W Face)
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 13 ● Captain America Trad, Alpine 5 pitches Penstemon Dome (W Face)
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 7 ● Song of the Earth Trad, Alpine 4 pitches Penstemon Dome (W Face)