Kids Climbing in San Diego

Anyone have a recommendation for good climbs for kids? 

Dixon lake has a lot of easier routes and most importantly is north facing

FYI Dixon is surrounded by poison oak. 

I recalled posting to this thread a while back:

kids climbing at Mt Woodson

Have fun climbin with the kiddos :)

How old are your kids? Mission gorge has the stairs, the steps and the blocks.

If I wanted to take a kid climbing, I would explore this possibility at the bottom of the frame. It faces east, maybe 60’ high, slabby, easy access, afternoon shade, restaurant 1/2 mi up the road. Probably needs bolt anchors, it’s not far from The Descanso Wall.

Best options are Descanso Wall and Mission Gorge (Steps, Stairs, and the chimney)

Kevin Descanso looks like a good adventure. You said slabby, does one plan on anchoring with nuts or just slinging nature stuff?

I have never touched that crag, just driven by it hundreds of times. I did learn, after I posted it up, that the south end of it might be on private land, owned by the nearest house over the ridge to the southwest according to a land ownership app. But at least the northern half, or possibly all of it is in the Cleveland National Forest, so you should be ok.

It is very visible from the road

I would take an static extender rope to tie off boulders and/or trees on the slope above the cliff, and rappel/top rope off that to judge how worthy it is for climbing, before bolting. There’s probably some gear placements too.

This zone on Guatay Mountain, across the road, has several low angle crags and the rock looks really good. It’s BLM land. There is a trail up the north side starting on a big grey slab which the Hwy cuts through

this is the kind of thing I’d do with kids for the adventure factor

Morena Butte area is more driving, but more potential, and beautiful

KW- good to see you on MP!

You dish out great information.

Hope all is well. 

Hey thanks Guy!

I’m doing well, thanks for asking, haven’t climbed in a year, nursing a torn meniscus, I’ve been mountain biking, hoping to get back on the rock this Fall

It seems like a good crew here, and the shortage of female participants hopefully means I won’t offend anyone so severely that I incite a ST style lynch mob!

Hahaha!

Hope you’re well also

Thanks these are great suggestions. I have kids from 6 to 10. I like to top rope,  With a slightly positive angle so the rope pulls them to the face. (I might cheat a little and pull them up some of the tougher spots sometime.)

it’s nice to have routes that are easy to get to the top to set up, and fairly safe at the bottom to play while they wait their turn.

I really appreciate the support. 

Kevin Worrallwrote:

Hey thanks Guy!

I’m doing well, thanks for asking, haven’t climbed in a year, nursing a torn meniscus, I’ve been mountain biking, hoping to get back on the rock this Fall

It seems like a good crew here, and the shortage of female participants hopefully means I won’t offend anyone so severely that I incite a ST style lynch mob!

Hahaha!

Hope you’re well also

Doing Ok- big back injurie in 2015… Surgery last summer- I can now walk again! Slowly getting it all back again- with the help of good friends.

Good to know us old F kers still climb. Hope your knee gets better.

Keep on keeping on.