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conditions at the needles/kern river?

Original Post
Michael Kim · · Van Life, USA · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 351

or when does the season usually begin?

Climbing Ivy · · NAZ · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 290

anyone has been to the Needles this season yet?  would appreciate any first person account on latest conditions!

Cory B · · Fresno, CA · Joined Feb 2015 · Points: 2,577

The lower road was washed out this winter. It's under repair. Call the ranger station to get an updated opening date.

Climbing Ivy · · NAZ · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 290

Thanks for the heads up!

Michael Kim · · Van Life, USA · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 351

yea thanks for info man

Roddy McCalley · · Joshua Tree, CA · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 60

That road usually opens in late May.  This was a big snow year so maybe not till June.  You can park at Dome Rock and hike/bushwhack to the upper formations, or drive the lower road (which is open much earlier) to park for Voodoo Dome and climb White Punks on Dope and some other great routes down there.  Also the cragging at Dome Rock is really fun

Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349

For more info....  

Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349
Michael Kim · · Van Life, USA · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 351

thanks man.. very helpful. appreciate it

Dunder Thunder · · Ventura ca · Joined Jun 2016 · Points: 53
Guy Keesee wrote:
Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349
Chris Dunn 510 wrote:

Taylor is still closed... The Church Domes have some really fine climbing.... but the road is almost the last one to get opened up each season. That has been my go to Memorial Day trip for the last 10 years or so.... keep calling the Rangers offices... keep calling... everyday.

Dunder Thunder · · Ventura ca · Joined Jun 2016 · Points: 53

Really want to make at least one trip to Bart dome this year.

Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349
Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349

The season is starting......   this will be a great year for all the DomeLands... the springs will be working, no need to carry water. 

Christopher Rein · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 25

Bump - anyone hear anything about the road for this long weekend? Called the ranger station last week and the guy said it was 50/50.

Dunder Thunder · · Ventura ca · Joined Jun 2016 · Points: 53

No, but made it in to dome rock this last weekend. Always a good option while the weather is fair.

nathanael · · Riverside, CA · Joined May 2011 · Points: 525
Christopher Rein wrote:

Bump - anyone hear anything about the road for this long weekend? Called the ranger station last week and the guy said it was 50/50.

I called yesterday and he said no go. If I didn't have other plans this week I'd probably go up there and just hike the extra miles and bivy between the formations, but that's just because I really want to climb up there.

David S · · San Francisco, CA · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 385

Nathanael, Christoper Rein-- which ranger station do you call? Never been but hoping to get some beta straight from the horse's mouth.

David S · · San Francisco, CA · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 385

Op never mind I learned to read the Description portion of The Needles MP page.

Christopher Rein · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 25

Anyone know the water situation? If I plan to hike in to the formations do I need to pack in water for a few days or is there a better option?

Thanks!

Dunder Thunder · · Ventura ca · Joined Jun 2016 · Points: 53
Christopher Rein wrote:

Anyone know the water situation? If I plan to hike in to the formations do I need to pack in water for a few days or is there a better option?

Thanks!

Probably a good idea to pack it in, 

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern California
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