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Elephant Rock Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Elephant Rock

L › R R › L A › Z

	Dumbo S 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	Elephant Crack T,TR 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Mousetrap TR 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
	Regular Route T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b

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Elevation:	1,479 ft	451 m
GPS:	36.4951, -121.2036 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	6,340 total · 45/month
Shared By:	Linnea Williams on May 5, 2013
Admins:	andy patterson, Aron Quiter, Bruce Hildenbrand, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes 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

This formation stands on the way to the Citadel, and doesn't resemble an elephant as such, but includes a really nice 5.6 regular route, an adventurous 5.7 crack, and a moderately interesting 10a TR from the rap anchor at the top. The 3rd class to the base of the climb requires care, but is part of what makes climbing at this formation feel like a bit of an adventure.

To descend from the top of the formation, rappel 80' from bolts and chain down the south face.

One big win is that the majority of the climbing is in the shade, so this is a nice formation to climb on hotter days.

Getting There

From the west side parking lot follow the Balconies Trail about 0.4mi until you see a small notch between two rock formations. The Shepard is on your right and Elephant Rock is directly behind it. Follow the climber's trail to the Citadel and Whitetail Rock up and around the west side of the Shepard and then up and around to Elephant Rock.

The approach is quick and well marked. About 15min from the parking lot.