Crags near LA
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Hey guys, I am going to be in Long Beach for a few days over Thanksgiving. I am not going to have time to go to j tree so I'm looking for some close crags, within an hour or maybe 2. So far I'm looking at Echo cliffs and Texas canyon. Between the two which has the best climbing. Not bringing my rack so all sport, like the idea of getting some multipitch in but that's not a deal breaker. So far I'm leaning towards echo cliffs. Thanks for the help. |
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Echo cliffs is my local go-crag, one hour from the front door to being tied in. So I'm partial to Echo. Though I have been to Texas Canyon twice and would say that regardless of where I live, Echo is a FAR superior crag. Message me if you're looking for a partner when you're in town. |
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I would definitely take you up on that but it looks like I'm going to be taking my girlfriends family out there. Thanks for the offer though. Do you think it will be busy on black friday? |
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Echo if fun, but if you can find a little more time to drive further (and you may not), Joshua Tree is a whole lot better. Don't get me wrong. I may try to drag my kids out to Echo (or Malibu) one day Thanksgiving week, but Josh is on a whole nother plane. There are sport climbs too. Not a sport area clearly, but you can find info on that if that's what you're limited to. |
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Part of me really wants to just drive to j tree but traffic is going to be crazy, the routes will be crowded and if I'm going to j tree I'm brining my rack so then I have to figure that out. With bringing my girlfriends family a closer not so big of deal crag just makes more sense. I usually go to j tree when in town so it will be nice to change it up. |
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I can't really comment on any other the areas closer to LA but I would not bring my family to the Riverside quarry. The climbing is great but it can be kinda a shady place to be. There are homeless people that live there, trash all over the place, and usually smells like several different types of feces. |
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Thanks for the tip Matt that is the exact opposite of where I would enjoy climbing |
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Sorry. Missed the family part. My bad. Echo or Malibu, though for Malibu they'd have to do the traverse into the canyon. Don't want pops falling into the brink. |
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I think echo is my best bet. How's the approch to echo and also to easy street. I'm thinking the left flank and Java wall is where we will climb but incase that is busy then maybe continue down to easy st. |
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The approach might be a little difficult if you're bringing along folks that don't do much hiking or climbing. |
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Man. That approach is starting to worry me now. Calder I might take you up on that offer. I'll have to talk with her family and see what they are up for. Should I expect alot of traffic on black friday. Just wondering if we leave early enough and let them hike in at a really easy pace if I'll still have enough time for a full day of climbing. |
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Honestly, it sounds like you'd be best to just take them to Stoney Point and set up some top ropes for them on Mozart's. Then get someone to belay you while you work Maggie's Farm and Sculpture's Crack. |
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Here is another option: |
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The approach took us about 30-40 min at a moderate pace. |
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I've been to Tick Rock in Malibu. Scary first bolt on a route on the right side, and I liked it! |
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If I was coming from Long beach I would rather go to Riverside Quarry vs Echo Cliffs. From door to the base of the route Riverside Quarry is way way shorter, plus you don't have to drive through the 405. The approach is like 5 minutes. |
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People actually climb at the riverside quarry? Maufactured routes, graffiti, trash everywhere. Id rather go to the local gym. Sorry I know that comes off bad I just don't think I could ever climb somewhere like that. I do appreciate the suggestion tho. |
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Michael Beasley wrote:People actually climb at the riverside quarry? Maufactured routes, graffiti, trash everywhere. Id rather go to the local gym. Sorry I know that comes off bad I just don't think I could ever climb somewhere like that. I do appreciate the suggestion tho.haha yeah i thought that too, until i started climbing there. Apart form the poor scenery and trash, the climbing itself is really stellar and in high concentration. With such great climbing, looking past the shitty part isn't so bad. |
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It's been a while, but aren't there areas at Malibu that don't require a water crossing? Planet of the Apes Wall is so much fun, just to get on some rock, and it's easy for people to sit and watch there. The whole park is so beautiful and appealing in so many ways. |
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Michael Beasley wrote:People actually climb at the riverside quarry? Maufactured routes, graffiti, trash everywhere. Id rather go to the local gym. Sorry I know that comes off bad I just don't think I could ever climb somewhere like that. I do appreciate the suggestion tho.Have you ever heard "don't knock it, till you try it?" that goes for the quarry...you must be crazy to rather climb at a gym than there. Plenty of 4 star routes in the 5.11-5.12 range that are far better than most sport routes I've been to in comparison to other sport crags around the area...in terms of movement, style, height of the routes. Just look pass the graffiti and you're set. Most of the graffiti is only as high as 10 feet anyways. climb 10 feet and you won't see it anymore haha |
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+1 |