Needles question

Heading to needles first time and I was wondering if it’s a good idea to mountain bike from the camping at the end of the road to or as close as we can get to the witch.
Are bikes frowned upon on climbing trail at the needles? If it speeds up the hour+++ hike to the crag and back why not.
Also what’s the decent like on top of the witch? Rap and down climb is it sketchy like tahquitz?
Thanks for any input.

I'm not a mountain biker but I guess it would speed it up? Still would be pretty hard, the path isn't awesome a lot of places. Theres plenty of room up there to leave it at the top by the lookout. The wrap off the witch from the to of Igor has two rap stations and then an easy downclimb. Not sketchy at all

The approach to fire tower is easily bikable. Not sure on the ethics there, but there aren't any signs saying no bikes allowed. You would be best leaving your bike at the tower because past that your just going to be carrying it the rest of the way.

Biking is for sure recommended and is allowed. It makes the end of the day super fun. depending on where you stash, it’s all downhill back to camp. I leave mine before the notch, at the first view of the magician. There are also many amazing trails in the keen river area

Descent off the witch is simple. One rap with 1 70m then easy downclimb. Much easier than tahquitz 

Brian Prince wrote: Biking is for sure recommended and is allowed. It makes the end of the day super fun. depending on where you stash, it’s all downhill back to camp. I leave mine before the notch, at the first view of the magician. There are also many amazing trails in the keen river area 

Just hope it's there when you get back. :)

Yeah, either I’m a complete idiot and couldn’t find my bike after stashing, or it actually got stolen one time. Weirdly, we didn’t see anyone else the whole weekend.. luckily it was a cheap old Wal-Mart bike

Bikes are pretty commonly used, or at least they used to be.  Contrary to what someone posted upthread, you cannot ride your bike all the way to the lookout (unless you’re Danny McAskill or Hans Rey).  Also, the trail drops a couple hundred of feet dropping into a small valley before switchbacking out to climb to the lookout.  What I’ve always done is bring a cable lock and leave the bike(s) where it starts descending to that valley.  The trail gets steep and sandy there so it’d be a gas to ride up that section on the way out.  If you put the cable through both wheels, the only way someone could steal it is if they pick it up and carry it a couple miles.  In any event, I’ve never had problems doing that.  Here’s the deal though: although riding out is alot faster and easier, especially after a long day, it isn’t really any faster riding in with a pack full of climbing gear on your back.  Still, getting back to your car in 15 minutes after a long day is blissful.

Mountain bikes are aid.

If you plan to be there for 3 or more days, bikes are nice but for just a weekend, they don't help much, IMHO.  Have you ever tried riding with a full cragging pack with rope, rack, shoes, harness, food , water, etc...    It's not easy or fun.  It's great on the way out if you stash your  gear somewhere at the rocks but to ride out with a full load is almost as difficult as the ride in.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Brian Prince wrote: Biking is for sure recommended and is allowed. It makes the end of the day super fun. depending on where you stash, it’s all downhill back to camp. I leave mine before the notch, at the first view of the magician. There are also many amazing trails in the keen river area

Descent off the witch is simple. One rap with 1 70m then easy downclimb. Much easier than tahquitz 

A 60m is more than enough. Anything right of Igor will put you on he summit cap, and you'll need to downclimb to the anchor which is to the north.

Not FAKE news....

https://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/needles-rock-formation-temporarily-closes-for-repair-work?fbclid=IwAR2PeM_RbbHYR45MaEw3BGybcaoonykCuV0UUQHVVUl-4zTO6VGOIwUe_bU

Dave Daly wrote: Not FAKE news....

https://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/needles-rock-formation-temporarily-closes-for-repair-work?fbclid=IwAR2PeM_RbbHYR45MaEw3BGybcaoonykCuV0UUQHVVUl-4zTO6VGOIwUe_bU

Bummer, but thank you for sharing the updates for us Dave! 

Is this the first public announcement of this closure? Starting this week? No idea how long?

It would really suck to be a Euro on vacation with a stay at The Needles on their itinerary.

Edit: My gripe is not about the closure , as it might be necessary. Not notifying the public, specifically climbers - the area's main user group - is a problem.

Another question arises. Is the area closed to climbing, or is the upper approach closed. Some of the best climbs (Romantic Warrior, South face of the Warlock, etc.) can be reasonably approached from below. 

Anybody here ride their bikes to the cuttoff for the incredible hulk? Now THAT was an awesome quick ride back to the car after getting off the hulk. Very fast and fun...

No longer allowed.