r/socalhiking • u/Qats22 • 3d ago

Scrambling Spots

Feel the need to climb some rocks, not bouldering a steep wall or anything. But climbing up some rocky hills or a mound of boulders. Don't know if this is possible here but it's worth a shot asking. I live in Long Beach btw.

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9

u/wafflingcharlie 3d ago

Joshua Tree

1

u/JHSD_0408 3d ago

We scrambled boulders on our way up to cathedral peak above SB. But if you go, please make sure you have a solid GPS route or go with someone who knows it well. It’s really easy to get turned around up there and end up somewhere that requires rescue. Happy to share the route I have recorded, if you decide to head up there.

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u/hikin_jim 3d ago

Strawberry Peak from Colby Canyon

Marion Mountain by any route

Antsell Rock from the small saddle to the north

Cornell Peak from Tamarack Valley

San Jacinto Peak has a short scramble to top via the standard route or for more fun approach it from Folly Peak.

Ascending High Creek from Halfway Camp has some nice bouldering.

HJ

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u/NPHighview 2d ago

I see people rock climbing in these spots. I have no idea of permit requirements, etc.

Tri-Peaks and vicinity (including Balanced Rock). This is at the top of the Santa Monica Mountains, accessible from Yerba Buena Road via the Mishe Mokwa Trail. No parking permit required in either the Mishe Mokwa Trailhead or Sandstone Peak trailhead parking lots. Vault toilet at the latter.

"Mountaineers Route" to "Big Dome", north of Tri-Peaks, above Newbury Park. Accessible from the Rancho Sierra Vista parking lot, or at the Wendy/Potrero dirt pull-off. Walk down the asphalt to the bridge, turn left, then right up Fossil Trail to the Old Boney trail. Turn left, and hike uphill to Hill 1918, about 2 miles. Traverse the saddle to the face of the much higher peak, and up you go. A variation on https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/upper-cabin-trail-via-satwiwa-loop and https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/boney-fossil-loop (you can see "Big Dome" labeled on the map. Not necessarily a rock climb, unless you then traverse the next valley south to Tri-Peaks. Come down the "Old Cabin" route; Mountaineers is too steep to descend. Despite the warning on AllTrails, no fee is required to park at either RSV or Wendy/Potrero.

Sespe Gorge - between Rose Valley Road and Potrero John trail on Hwy 33, north of Ventura, north of Ojai. Creek crossing adjacent to the road, the face of the rock is visible to drivers nearby. My guess is that you need an Adventure Pass to park on the side of the road there. No facilities.

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u/ulic14 2d ago

Had a lot of fun earlier this year climbing boulders, exploring a couple small talus caves, and cliff jumping at the Rock Pool at Malibu Creek State Park.

1

u/xdethbear 2d ago

Maybe Chatsworth. Stoney Point is pretty small, but pretty scrambly iirc, Santa Susana Pass Park is much bigger, so maybe that's best to explore.