Google Maps: Rock Creek

Mountain Project Link

Rock Creek features sport climbing, trad climbing, and bouldering on incredible Sierra granite at around 7,500 feet in elevation.

Distance + Directions: 20 minute drive from the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center. Take the 395 South from Mammoth Lakes to Tom’s Place. Take this road south into the canyon and the formations will appear on the west side of the canyon.

Approach + Trail Surface: moderate-steep uphill 0.2-1.5 miles on trails and talus.Trails between climbing areas are on mixed terrain including talus, boulders, packed sand and soft sand.

Google Maps: Clark Canyon

Mountain Project Link

Clark Canyon features short, bolted sport climbing on pocketed volcanic Tuff at around 7,700 feet in elevation. Climbs are 40 - 200 feet in length and face all directions! The area features climbs of all difficulties, but shines in the 5.8-5.10 range.

Distance + Directions: 40 minute drive from the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center. 4×4 or high clearance vehicles recommended. Head north on the 395 about 7 miles. Turn right on Owens River Road, shortly past a signed rest area on the left. At just over 2 miles, turn right at a fork (Road 2S06). Drive a mile to a cattle gate (please close gates behind you). After another half mile turn right at “T”, the left through another cattle gate shortly after. Drive another 1.7 miles to a four-way intersection, turn right and follow that to where it ends at a parking circle.

Approach + Trail Surface: mild-moderate uphill 0.25 miles on packed dirt/sand/gravel mix.

Google Maps: Dike Wall

Mountain Project Link

This beautiful alpine lake setting above the town of Mammoth features sport and some trad at 9,500 feet in elevation. Plenty of climbs from 5.8 - 5.13, with top access anchors. North and East facing aspect might be chilly, so pack a layer!

Distance + Directions: 35 minute drive from the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center. Take highway 203 to the stop light at the village. Continue straight on Lake Mary Road. Fllow this to the left turn at Pokonobe Lodge. Take a right at the “T” and continue up to the Lake George parking area.

Approach + Trail Surface: mild-moderate uphill 0.8 miles on packed dirt/sand/gravel mix. Hike around the left side of the shore line to the opposite side of the lake. Then head up the hill on a climbers trail to the cliff.

Google Maps: Patricia Bowl

Mountain Project Link

Patricia Bowl offers traditionally protected, cragging on perfect granite in an alpine setting at 10,500 feet in elevation. The approach is long and steep, but you will be rewarded by serene mountain environments and quiet venues.

Distance + Directions: 30 minute drive from the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center. Take the 395 South from Mammoth Lakes to Tom’s Place. Take this road 9 miles south into the canyon and the formations will appear on the west side of the canyon. Drive past the toilet and food-storage lockers on the left and park.

Approach + Trail Surface: Expect 40-60 minutes of hiking, 750+ feet of vertical gain over 1.2 miles on mixed terrain including talus, boulders, packed sand and soft sand. Start from the “Hilton Lake” trail head (N37.4550 W118.7410), about 325 feet back from where you parked. Start up this trail for 5 minutes, at the 4th switchback there will be a trail heading into the woods to the West. Take this trail for 15 minutes. When the trail ends, start a gentle, rising traverse to the right on talus for 20-30 minutes. Eventually the north facing crag will come into view.

Google Maps: Sherwin Plateau

Mountain Project Link

Sherwin Plateau offers a selection of isolated bouldering venues overlooking the gorge. You’ll find pocketed volcanic tuff on good quality rock reminiscent of the Happy Boulders at about 7,000 feet in elevation.

Distance + Directions: 25 minute drive from the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center. Take the 395 South from Mammoth Lakes to Tom’s Place. Turn left onto Owens Gorge road and continue for 1.5 miles and take a right at the three-way fork. Keep left on the next two forks until merging with Forest RD 4S116. Continue for a mile and park.

Approach + Trail Surface: Approaches vary, but everything is close. Expect mixed terrain including talus, boulders, packed sand and soft sand.

Google Maps: Mammoth Crest

Mountain Project Link

This quiet alpine lake setting above the town of Mammoth features sport and trad climbing at 10,300 feet in elevation. Plenty of climbs from 5.8 - 5.12, with top access anchors. This point is visible from many places around Mammoth.

Distance + Directions: 25 minute drive from the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center. Take highway 203 towards Lake Mary. Follow the road (past the Lake Mary turnoff) to a large parking area at the end near Horseshoe Lake.

Approach + Trail Surface: ~40-60 minutes of hiking. Terrain can be steep and technical over talus, boulders, and packed dirt/sand/gravel mix.

Take Mammoth Pass Trail up to Mcleod Lake. When you arrive at McLeod Lake, hike around the left side (clockwise) until you reach a small stream inlet on the far side of the lake. The inlet is in an open’ish meadow where you can see a large talus slide that makes it almost all the way down to the lake. On the right side of the talus is a strip of trees that heads towards the crest. Follow a use trail up through the trees until you reach the final talus field below the crest proper.

Google Maps: Bear Crag

Mountain Project Link

Bear Crag hosts steep, juggy sport climbing on blocky volcanic rock at 7,700 feet in elevation. The climbs are well protected, secluded, and a bit of a hike to get to. Barrier to entry is a little high for this crag, and there are not many moderates. Plenty of climbs from 5.10-5.13, but the area shines in the 5.11-5.12 range. This is not a great top roping venue.

Distance + Directions: 25 minute drive from the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center. Take highway 203, then take a right on Minaret Road. In 13 miles, turn right onto Reds Circle and park at the Rainbow Falls parking area. There is a $7 day use fee.

Approach + Trail Surface: ~45-60 minutes of hiking. Terrain can be steep and technical over talus, boulders, and packed dirt/sand/gravel mix.

From Rainbow Falls Parking area follow the trail towards Rainbow Falls. You will come to a junction (this junction is after the junction with the Pacific Crest/John Muir junction) that has 2 signs facing the opposite direction and say Resort/Parking/bus stop/etc. After this junction continue on the Rainbow Falls Trail another 250' and you will come to three burnt tree stumps on the left. These trees start near one another (within 15 feet or so) and radiate out away from one another. These trees are 30" diameter and are 20, 35 and 40 feet tall (these trees were here 6/2014 so be aware they will fall at some time) You will find a use trail just past these 3 trees. Follow this use trail for 300 feet and you will arrive at a stock trail. Go right on this stock trail and follow it downhill until you cross Boundary Creek. Continue on the stock trail for another 200 feet heading downhill and curving right and you will arrive at a use trail on the left. Follow this trail to the Crag.

Google Maps: Casa Diablo Mountain

Mountain Project Link

Casa Diablo Mountain offers sport climbing and bouldering on quartz monzonite granite with views of the White Mountains, Glass Mountains, and Sierra Nevada Mountains at 7,400 feet. This area features many moderate rock climbs ranging from 5.6-5.12. Half of the climbs are north facing, while the other half are south facing, which makes for a great choice on both warmer and cooler days.

Distance + Directions: 45 minute drive from the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center. Take the 395 south for 5.5 miles before making a left on Benton Crossing road. Drive 18 miles and turn right on a dirt road (3S02). Keep left at the first T (still 3S02) and stay right at the second T (still 3S02), for a total of 5.4 miles. Turn left between two trees on Forest Road 04S132C. Continue on a washboard road, make a left onto 04S132F and park in a small rounded parking area. A few climbs are visible from the parking zone.

Approach + Trail Surface: short approach! A few minutes of hiking over boulders, and packed dirt/sand/gravel mix.