The Zoo Rock Climbing

Park at the first pullout on the right past Molino Campground. This is a dirt pullout that can fit 3 or 4 cars. If that’s full, there is also a paved pullout just uphill, on the opposite side of the road. Walk upstream in the drainage for 7 to 10 minutes. This drainage frequently runs with water in the winter, so the path will vary based on the water level. After a few minutes the first crag (The Watering Hole) will become visible, just uphill on your right. Stay in the streambed until you reach a small dam in the drainage, which is about even with the middle of the crag. From the small dam, there is an obvious ramp which goes up and left for 30 feet, then a path cuts back to the right to reach the base of the crag on its right end.

The other crags in this area are not easily visible from the streambed. After you reach the base of The Watering Hole, follow a path uphill (left) along the base of the crag and around the corner to reach Ectotherm Tower, which faces north. From Ectotherm Tower, a path goes a few feet uphill along a short slab, and then traverses a short distance to reach The Petting Zoo and The Aviary, which are not visible until you are right upon them. All of the crags are easily reached in 15 minutes from the car.