All Locations > California > Central Coast > Pinnacles NP > E Side

Upper Crust Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Upper Crust

L › R R › L A › Z

	Castles Made of Sand S 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	Castles Made of Sound S,TR 5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
	Hard as a Rock S 5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
	Looking for a Clue T,TR 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b X
	Me and My Monkey S 5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
	Nodal Line S 5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
	Organ Grinder S 5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	Relayer S 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	Sound Chaser S 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
	Sound Chaser Direct S,TR 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
	Upper Crust \| 4754 S 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b R
	When in Doubt, Run it Out T 5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a X

Order Wrong? Sort Routes

Explore this area in 3D

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:	1,934 ft	589 m
GPS:	36.47273, -121.1858 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	18,809 total · 105/month
Shared By:	thecornyman on Jan 16, 2012 · Updates
Admins:	Aron Quiter, Bruce Hildenbrand, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes, Salamanizer Ski Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closures Details

Always check this web page before you visit for current conditions and nesting closures:

Current Raptor Advisories for Pinnacles National Park nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/…
and
pinnacles.org/climbing_info…
Closures effective as of the day after Martin Luther King Day- July 3. Check closure website for details on closed areas.

SPECIAL NOTICE: Condors have been establishing nests at the Pinnacles National Monument. Since condors develop to fledgling more slowly than raptors and vultures closures due to condor nesting is extended past the usual Martin Luther King Day to July 3rd. Again, please check the "Current Raptor Advisory" section of the NPS website and/or the Friends of Pinnacles website for current closures.

As of July 2024 there are three active Condor nests at Pinnacles National Park.

The Machete Ridge area is closed from Pigeon Crack on west face then west around the south side to The Hideout including the popular Old Original.

All climbing routes at Crowley Towers are closed.

All routes on the Yaks and Yaks Wall plus Marauder.

Description

Good quality rock with a few climbs that range from 5.8 to 5.12. Area gets shade all day and is usually less crowded if you want to get away from the people. It's a good place to climb if you are adventurous enough to visit the Pinnacles during the summer months.

Getting There

Park in eastern parking lot. Walk to the reservoir and take well built and marked climbers' trail up to the wall just after crossing the dam. Approach time is 20-30 minutes. Solid climbs, well protected, and totally topropable.

12 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location:	Upper Crust Change
Type:	to Trad Sport Toprope
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:	then:

Classic Climbing Routes at Upper Crust

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

5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 51 ● Organ Grinder Sport
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a 46 ● Me and My Monkey Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 44 ● Sound Chaser Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 27 ● Relayer Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 22 ● Castles Made of Sand Sport