Mountain Project - Sierra Foothills North

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Sierra Foothills North

Submitted by: Aron Quiter

2012 Giant Sequoia National Monument Peregrine Falcon Protection
Closure exists within 1/4 mile of Chimney Rock to all but volunteer monitors, National Park Service and Forest Service personnel. The closure will begin in mid April (when the Forest Supervisor signs the order) and continue until August 15. The closure will be removed earlier if it is confirmed that nesting activity had concluded (nest failed, chicks fledged or birds never used the area).

Chimney Rock 2010
Submitted By: Closures and Restrictions on May 2, 2010

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New Rock! New Rock! Come and Get it!

The foothills of the Sierra are a vast and mostly untamed stretch of rocky hillsides. Bouldering is everywhere, and sport is plentiful. Trad routes can be found, but are often undocumented and wild.

Areas in the foothills may not be documented, since a lot of the climbable rock in the area will be found on privater property, and also in public areas where local land managers don't believe that climbing is a reputable sport. Examples of this can be found around the Table Mountain area, where the Gold Wall and Jail House rock are some of the finest climbing around, but you can't find either online or in guidebooks.

Weather in the foothills is some of the most varied in California: In the summer temperatures often exceed 100 degrees, yet in the winter you will find snow often as low as 2000 feet. Spring and Fall are often the best times to climb, but keep in mind elevations and recent rainfall and you can find wonderful days in the winter as well.

Areas like Sonora Pass are excellent. A short drive from the Bay area, and you can have rock like Tahoe AND Yosemite, but without the crowds of either area. In the fall, Table Mountain is one of the most beautiful places in the state. Auburn has potential, but currently has access issues. New rock is always just over the next ridge, and all you need is a little imagination and some forestry maps, and you can find the next climbing area in California.

Getting There

Don't be mistaken, this is a LARGE area. Ranging from Tahachopee Pass in the south, this area heads nearly 300 miles to the North up to nearly Chico in the north. Elevations are from 700 feet in the West up to nearly 4000 feet in the foothills. Sonora Pass is probably needing it's own area, but for now it's listed here and has elevations up to 9000 feet at the pass.

Photos