By request
Idyllwild · Trad, Multi-pitch
Tahquitz Rock
The 1,000-foot granite tower where the American climbing grade system was born.
- Rock
- Granite
- Grades
- 5.4–5.12
- Drive
- 2 hr 15 min
Photo: Benjamin Crowell (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Seasonal
Full days, April–November
This is a mountain crag, so we only run trips here in season (April–November). Roads and trails can close for snow, storms or fire, so we check the land manager's alerts before every trip.
Silver granite slabs in the pines above Idyllwild. A cool summer escape and a classic SoCal classroom.
About Suicide Rock
High above Idyllwild, Suicide Rock is a sweep of fine-grained granite slabs and cracks surrounded by pine forest. Generations of Southern California climbers learned friction and crack technique here, and the cooler mountain air makes it a perfect escape when the lowland crags are baking.
We run full days here from spring through fall. Suicide is a traditional crag, so your guide leads and rigs every anchor. Then you climb classic slabs and cracks in the 5.8–5.10 range. Ready for more? Two- and three-pitch routes here are part of our multi-pitch days, by request. It's a longer drive, so many guests make a weekend of it in Idyllwild.
Highlights
- Cool mountain climbing in summer
- Classic granite friction slabs and cracks
- Multi-pitch by request
- Make a weekend of it in Idyllwild
Good for
- Summer days
- Gym climbers
- Full days
Classic easier routes
Surprise (5.8), The Hernia (5.8), Serpentine (5.9)
Your guide picks routes on the day to suit your group, the conditions and how busy the walls are.
Access and permits
- Access
- Inside the San Jacinto Wilderness: a free day-use wilderness permit is required (we take care of it) and groups are capped at 12. Snow can linger into spring. Parking near the trailhead is along residential streets, so please be considerate of neighbors.
- Permits
- Guiding in the San Jacinto Wilderness requires a Forest Service outfitter-guide special use permit from the San Jacinto Ranger District.
Sources and further reading
Access changes often, with fires, storms and closures all common. Check the land manager's alerts before you go.
Keep exploring
Other crags
By request
Seasonal
Big Bear Lake · Top-rope, Sport, Trad
Holcomb Valley Pinnacles
Hundreds of short, featured granite pinnacles in the pines north of Big Bear Lake.
- Rock
- Featured granite
- Grades
- 5.5–5.12
- Drive
- 2 hr 45 min
Seasonal
Perris · Top-rope, Trad, Multi-pitch
Big Rock, Lake Perris
A huge, friendly granite slab above Lake Perris. The best beginner granite in the Inland Empire.
- Rock
- Granite slab
- Grades
- 5.5–5.12
- Drive
- 1 hr 15 min