Destination suggestions for a may climbing trip

I would like to make a trip out to CA from AZ. I primarily Boulder but if a partner is available I also sport climb.
My current climbing partner bailed on the trip so I am now looking for suggestions on where to climb in May and if anyone would be interested in joining.
May 13 - 29

Bishop is nice. Yosemite can also be very nice that time of year. Want off the beaten path? Try Sequoia and Kings Canyon

What research have you done so far so that we don't wind up telling you stuff you already know?

I have been told of possible warm weather in Bishop. Already seen Jtree. I have never seen the ocean. I am not sure where I should spend the majority of my time considering weather. I have pads, rope, and draws.

If Bishop is too warm, lots of bouldering and sport climbing less than an hour north in the general area of Mammoth Lakes, with more bouldering (new guidebook) -- and some sport + top-rope climbing -- north toward and around June Lake.

Might be less bouldering and sport crags with easy access if it's a big snow year.

Ken

Kenr has good beta. While the standard Bishop bouldering areas close to town (Milks, Happies) will be hot, there are other areas 30-60 minutes further north, around Mammoth, (higher elevation) that could be nice. Also, May should be pretty nice for sport climbing around there. The ORG could be a bit hot, or it could be just right, depending on the weather and your preferences. Pine Creek has pretty good sport climbing and will be really nice that time of year- it stays way cooler than town due to shade, breeze, and elevation. I've frozen in Pine Creek when it is 80 in town. Clark Canyon, up by Mammoth, would also provide good sport climbing and good May temps. You could do a really nice two week trip doing a circuit of the higher elevation Bishop/Mammoth sport and/or bouldering areas. This would provide lots of variety and lots of options to chase the right conditions. These areas are all at most an hour apart, so it is easy to bounce from one area to another. Only potential issue I think of is if this snow year keeps up (HUGE!), some areas could be snowbound.

Returning to bouldering,there are tons of good areas that will be nice in May:

Tahoe could also be a great option. Massive amounts of bouldering (several new thick guidebooks worth), good quality, good weather in May. Some areas may be snowbound, depending on the year, but there should be plenty accessible. If you like granite bouldering, this would possibly be the best May destination in CA.

Yosemite Valley is another good option. It could be a bit warm for bouldering, or it could be just right. Lots of boulders, of course. Waterfalls will be awesome this year with big snow. Camping limitations are in effect in May, so that could be an issue if you want to stay more than a week. It could be easy to combine a week in the Valley with a week in Tahoe- they are reasonably close together.

Black Mountain and Tramway are also top-notch areas, and May is one of the best months to visit. They are in SoCal, but are at high elevation and should be very pleasant. The bouldering there is really really good, quite extensive, and the scenery is great. This would be an awesome spot to visit New guidebook for Black Mountain...http://www.blackmountainbouldering.com/

Whats the dispersed camping like in the black mountain area?

Connor Messner wrote:Whats the dispersed camping like in the black mountain area?

When it comes to camping in the areas of black mountain and also near jtree (south or north of the park), is it safe to camp alone? Areas to stay away from? Arizona has laws that allow for personal carry but california is a little more strict on safety. I greatly appreciate the info thus far!
Thank you!

Bishop will not necessarily be too hot to climb in May. That time of year can be nice, especially in the late afternoon. People seem to have the attitude nowadays that if it's not cool (or cold), the conditions are poor. Not always so. Also, lots of good sport that time of year: the Gorge, Pine Creek, Clark Canyon just to the north. Josh will still be climbable, though getting warm. Not sure why you'd skip it just because you've been once. So much to do out there. The Tram and Black Mt. are terrific as well.

I was just looking over a path that would put me in j tree for a couple days, black mountain for a little over a week, san diego/la area for 2 days, and back to j tree for a couple more days. I really should look into trad gear:( lol

Is there anything worth while in the los angeles or san diego bay area?

Connor Messner wrote:I was just looking over a path that would put me in j tree for a couple days, black mountain for a little over a week, san diego/la area for 2 days, and back to j tree for a couple more days. I really should look into trad gear:( lol

That's actually not alot of driving. Black Mt. Is probably a little over an hour from Josh, and San Diego is two hours max. Great stuff at Woodson. Good backcountry sport at ECM and the like. LA has Stoney Point, Horse Flats, and Echo Cliffs and Malibu Creek for sport. Lots to do in So Cal.

Still seems like a lot of driving to me, but I have a severe bias against any Southern California metropolitan area (I include San Diego).