Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 3,800 ft
GPS: 32.8444, -116.6351
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 110,819 total · 682/month
Shared By: Ben May on Nov 21, 2010 · Updates
Admins: Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes

Description Suggest change

As per "San Diego Climbing Guide" by Dave Kennedy with Chris Hubbard...

Plainly visible from I-8 just west of the Hwy. 79 turn-off, Descanso has a multitude of routes, nearly all put up by Martin Veillon and his son Peter.
1/4" bolts placed in ground-up style here may not have hangers (especially the first one or two), and some routes are runout. Take some keyhole hangers, small wired nuts or other such devices to tie off these studs. Many routes require gear. The true classic here is Into the Eye of the Son (11+). Many more routes than those given here have been established on the neighboring formations.

Mainly sport
Quality Granite
No fee required

Descanso Wall, for the size, packs quite a punch. On the East side of the wall there is a great section for those practicing trad or those brave enough to free solo. Going West from here you have a few sport routes with excellent steepness and overhung at the beginning. These routes are about 110-120 feet but can give you a pump with micro crimpers, slopers/friction and great smearing. Further west is Icarus 5.11a in the dihedral. And, basically, the further West you go, the harder the climb (i.e. the cave section with chain draws?)

Chow/Beer:
If there's one other thing that most all climbers have in common, it's a frosty local brew and some well-earned wholesome food. Therefore, I confidently suggest The Alpine Beer Company.

Getting There Suggest change


*From I-8 & the 805, drive about 33 miles East on the I-8 (past Alpine) to Exit 40 CA 79-N/Japatule Valley Rd toward Julian.
*Take Exit 40/Hwy-79 and turn left (North).*Drive 0.8 of a mile to Wildwood Glen Ln.
*Turn Left (West) on Wildwood Glen Ln and park at the Helo pad/turn around/USFS gate.
*Don't forget your water.
*From the Helo pad, the gate is to the left and the trailhead is to the right, marked by a white metal post with a black tip ... 20 mins.
*Near the top, follow the split in the trail to the left. After passing the boulders you'll arrive at the Main Wall and You Must Have Wings.

69 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Descanso Wall Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Descanso Wall

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V1 5
 4
Bringin' Home the Bacon
Boulder
V2 5+
 4
Flying Solo
TR, Boulder
V2 5+
 5
Dyno Soar
Boulder
V2 5+
 6
Magellan
Boulder
V2 5+
 5
Zheng He
Boulder
V2 5+
 5
Sink or Swim
Boulder
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 50
You Must Have Wings
Sport
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 50
We Refuse to Grow Old and/or Up
Sport
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 33
Gecko Twins
Sport
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 16
Space Ramp
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 39
King of Pain
TR
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b R
 7
Roll Over Beethoven
Sport, TR
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 5
Stay Thirsty
TR
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 32
Icarus
Sport
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 16
Into the Eye of the Son
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Bringin' Home the Bacon Descanso Boulders > Event Horizon Boulder
 4
V1 5 Boulder
Flying Solo Descanso Boulders > Library Boulder
 4
V2 5+ TR, Boulder
Dyno Soar Descanso Boulders > Event Horizon Boulder
 5
V2 5+ Boulder
Magellan Descanso Boulders > Magellan Boulder
 6
V2 5+ Boulder
Zheng He Descanso Boulders > Lone Wolf Boulder
 5
V2 5+ Boulder
Sink or Swim Descanso Boulders > Vasa Boulder
 5
V2 5+ Boulder
You Must Have Wings Main Wall
 50
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a Sport
We Refuse to Grow Old and/o… Main Wall
 50
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport
Gecko Twins Main Wall
 33
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport
Space Ramp Main Wall
 16
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
King of Pain Main Wall
 39
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a TR
Roll Over Beethoven Main Wall
 7
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b R Sport, TR
Stay Thirsty Descanso Boulders > Dos Equis Boulder
 5
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b TR
Icarus Main Wall
 32
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Into the Eye of the Son Main Wall
 16
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Sport
More Classic Climbs in Descanso Wall »

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading