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Elevation: 7,508 ft
GPS: 33.82629, -116.7591
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 646,046 total · 3,179/month
Shared By: Obi on Jul 9, 2007 · Updates
Admins: Colin Parker, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes
Warning Access Issue: If you don't want to cause access issues please make it a point to be on your best behavior. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

A premier bouldering locale of Southern California, the granite boulders call out to any climber who visits this area. A variety of boulder problems are found, both in terms of steepness and grades. Located at 7500 ft, bouldering here is in a beautiful mountain setting - pine trees are as plentiful as the boulders are.

Most newcomers to Black Mountain quickly notice two things: 1) the problems here are often tall and off-the-deck 2) the ratings are HARD for the grade. Fear not - many of the most visible problems are indeed tall (20+ feet in Boulder Basin), but shorter problems can be found if one looks close enough. As for the grades, I'd suggest leaving your egos at home...

The area is primarily a summer and fall destination site. The rangers lock the gates to Black Mountain during the winter and early spring months. Check this website (scroll down) or call the Idyllwild Ranger Station (909-382-2921) regarding questions about access to Boulder Basin campground if in doubt.

Weekends can be crowded, especially in Boulder Basin with many families (read: groups with kids) running around. Please be courteous and ask for permission before climbing on any problems that are in someone else's campsite.

Pit toilets are available in Boulder Basin. Although water (technically not drinkable...) can be piped into the campsite, spigots are shut off during drought seasons. Be sure to bring your own water just in case.

Camping: $10 dollars per night for a site in Boulder Basin Campground.

Parking outside of the campsites is extremely limited. Be Green and carpool if at all possible. Contact the rangers in Idyllwild for more information.

Getting There Suggest change

From L.A., take Interstate 10 east. Get off at highway 243 and head south towards Idyllwild. After about 30 minutes, turn left onto Black Mountain Road (look for a sign that says "Boulder Basin Campground").

After about 5 miles, you will arrive at OK Corral. A little less than a mile up the road, take the left turn towards Boulder Basin.

  • Please note that the 6 miles of dirt road is rough. Each year the road is in varying states of "drivable conditions". Generally, although it is possible to make it up the dirt road, I would highly recommend a 4x4 vehicle. Please drive slowly on this road as it narrows in places.

314 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Black Mountain

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V1 5 R
 80
Once Upon A Time
Boulder
V1 5
 60
Flower Pot Dyno
Boulder
V1 5
 23
Diamond Zen Face
Boulder, Alpine
V2 5+ R
 57
Big Greeny
Boulder
V2-3 5+
 115
Pink Crack
Boulder
V3 6A R
 33
Hueco Wall
Boulder
V4 6B
 135
OK Problem
Boulder
V4 6B
 78
Saddle Traverse
Boulder
V4 6B
 64
The Chief
Boulder
V5 6C R
 26
Where Boneheads Dare
Boulder
V5 6C
 32
Fallen Arch
Boulder
V6 7A
 134
Center Visor
Boulder
V6 7A
 15
Dan Osman ArĂȘte
Boulder
V7 7A+
 44
Cracker Boy
Boulder
V7 7A+
 84
Tour de France (aka Firewall)
Boulder
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Once Upon A Time Summit > Once Upon A Tim… > Once Upon A Time Boulder
 80
V1 5 R Boulder
Flower Pot Dyno Groupsites > … > 4&5 North > Flower Pot Boulder
 60
V1 5 Boulder
Diamond Zen Face Trailside Boulders > Trailside Boulder
 23
V1 5 Boulder, Alpine
Big Greeny Boulder Basin > S Basin > Big Greeny Boulder
 57
V2 5+ R Boulder
Pink Crack Boulder Basin > Central Basin > Pink Boulder
 115
V2-3 5+ Boulder
Hueco Wall OK Corral > Lower Corral > Morphic Boulder
 33
V3 6A R Boulder
OK Problem OK Corral > Rdside Corral > H Boulder (aka Reed's…
 135
V4 6B Boulder
Saddle Traverse Summit > Saddle Boulders
 78
V4 6B Boulder
The Chief Groupsites > … > 4&5 North > Chief Boulder
 64
V4 6B Boulder
Where Boneheads Dare Boulder Basin > Central Basin > Daring Boulder
 26
V5 6C R Boulder
Fallen Arch Boulder Basin > Central Basin > Daring Boulder
 32
V5 6C Boulder
Center Visor Summit > NRA > Visor Boulder
 134
V6 7A Boulder
Dan Osman ArĂȘte OK Corral > Broken Heart > Dan Osman Boulder
 15
V6 7A Boulder
Cracker Boy Summit > Cracker Boy Area > Buttermilk Boulder
 44
V7 7A+ Boulder
Tour de France (aka Firewall) Boulder Basin > Tour De France Area
 84
V7 7A+ Boulder
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