PRINT: Rock Climbing in Marmot Rocks, Central Coast

Marmot Rocks

California > Central Coast > Pinnacles NP > E Side

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

Nice shady area to beat the crowds and heat on top of hill to the East of Bear Gulch. Mostly short bolted routes on good quality rock.

Getting There

Take the Moses Springs Trail to the North side of Monolith. Around the point where the cave trail rejoins the trail there is a marker numbered 15. From here a climber's trail starts uphill to the east towards some slabs with grooves through them. Follow the trail uphill to the slabs. To approach the lower section of the Marmot Rocks walk up the slabs a couple of hundred yards and then cut left to the North. Alternatively you can walk straight up the slabs and then walk along the top of the ridge to Big Marmot Rock.

Routes from Left to Right

5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 1 ● Marauder Trad
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b 1 ● Asleep at the Wheel Sport
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 3 ● Marmot With a Hand Grenade Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b 2 ● The Heretic Sport
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b 1 ● Big Marmot Rock Regular Route Trad
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b 1 ● Misty Mountain Hop Sport