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

The Hatchet Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in The Hatchet

L › R R › L A › Z

Regular Route S 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a A0

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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:	1,864 ft	568 m
GPS:	36.47001, -121.1882 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	521 total · 15/month
Shared By:	Bruce Hildenbrand on Apr 30, 2022
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 is the tall, slender formation west of the Bear Gulch Reservoir which when viewed from the east looks like a hatchet equipped with a nail puller slot.

Getting There

Hike up either the Bear Gulch Trail or Rim Trail to the Bear Gulch Reservoir. Take the trail toward Chalone Peak on the east side of the reservoir. Just past the reservoir spot a carabiner sign marking the climber's trail to formations south and west. After about 200 yards find a trail junction and follow another marked climbers trail uphill and to the south. Shortly you will pass Ridge Rock to the east(your left) and after about five minutes of hiking you will see the Hatchet on your left was well. Hike up and around the uphill side of the formation and down the east side to the climbs.