A few of the dirt road towards the beginning of the road as of 5/30/25. Tons of burnt trees. The road is a bit treacherous.

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A few of the dirt road towards the beginning of the road as of 5/30/25. Tons of burnt trees. The road is a bit treacherous.

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Aim for this tree (light orange hue to it). There's a small notch directly next to it that you want to go through.

The Needle lookout Pano (July 2024)

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James Sohn

May 31, 2025

“A few of the dirt road towards the beginning of the road as of 5/30/25. Tons of burnt trees. The road is a bit treacherous.”

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Nearby Photos

From the Lookout

East faces of the Sorcerer and Charlatan Needles

Matt Grieger nears the summit of the Magician Needle, with 12 pitches of adventure and another extraordinary day in the Needles behind him.

The Witch and the recent fire (7.24.2010).

Mike Lechlinksi on The Parasite (5.13b), The Needles<br>
<br>
Photo by Mari Gingery

The Needles from Dome Rock

The Dijin, Charlatan, Sorcerer, Wizard, and... The top pitch of Igor can be clearly seen.

just another nice shot

Overview of the Needles

The Needles from Dome Rock

Currently, the stairs up to the fire lookout end abruptly, where the lookout once stood. There is 15 feet of 5.2 slab climbing from the last step to the top of the formation.<br>
<br>
For those climbing the Magician, it is now possible to walk down the stairs at any time, 7 days a week.

Beautiful granite at the Needles

Just a nice shot here

The West face of the Charlatan and the Wizard...

Looking north from camp...

The Needles, in rain.

Leopard Lilies, seen in the meadow at the Needles trailhead.

An aspiring climber works on her tick-list. Location: the Needles lookout.

Stairs up to the top of the Magician are an architectural wonder, not to be missed.

Sunrise at The Needles. 9/2/2010.

The Needles Lookout was a truly special destination. This trip with our boys, who were 6 and 9 years old at the time, will always be a cherished memory.

This morning, there was a small wildfire next to the campground. This is a good reminder that lighting a fire in the needles requires a permit. This process takes about 15 minutes, and is free- it's an informative video about fire safety.

Remnants of the Needles Lookout. <br>
<br>
Photo: Corey Gargano

Needles Area Map

Late afternoon light at the Needles

magical place!

Bring a stick on hot days - these guys are everywhere

The Needles
<br>
Horizon of clouds

The notch next to the vibrant fir tree. Go through here and follow cairns (staying high) to the Djin saddle and The Magician. Continue on for the Charlatan, Witch, Warlock, etc.

Aim for this tree (light orange hue to it). There's a small notch directly next to it that you want to go through.

A few of the dirt road towards the beginning of the road as of 5/30/25. Tons of burnt trees. The road is a bit treacherous.

The Needle lookout Pano (July 2024)

Our first view of the Needles - June 1986

Looking back towards the lookout from the summit of Warlock Needle.

The Needles sterno/lantern relic

The needles return from the main notch to the trailhead

The Needles, Voodoo Dome on the far right

The Sorcerer, the Lookout, and the Charlatan from the top of the Witch.

The Needles approach from the trailhead to the main notch

Walking below the Sorcerer

View of the Needles, CA

A mostly accurate and intact sign...

Sorcerer and Charlatan

The start of the way towards the Main Notch. At the hitching post, step down and right, following the trail high when possible (look for cairns). You'll want to find the vibrant fir tree (I also added a picture of this)

Good advice for a dry climate...

A distant needles from Dome Rock, wonderful sunset. 5/16/2016

Lookout Beta

Mike Newheart with a turkey drumstick.

When heading back towards the lookout (pictured upper left), aim for this upper tree, following cairns whenever possible. This will take you high (I.e., the easy 5th class way)

Needles + VooDoo Dome

Sep 2025: campground is open, temps are good, and the sorcerer is busy is ever!

Lookout on the Needles

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