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Fossil Falls Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in Fossil Falls

Black Planets 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0

Lower Falls 9 / 0 / 4 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 10

Upper Falls 11 / 1 / 14 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 21

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Elevation:	3,300 ft
GPS:	35.97175, -117.91079 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	41,081 total · 362/month
Shared By:	Benjamin Chapman on Dec 23, 2014 · Updates
Admins:	Aron Quiter, Euan Cameron, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

Fossil Falls is a unique geological feature off US Hwy 395 between Ridgecrest and Lone Pine, CA. Fossil Falls is a scenic area managed by the Bureau of Land Management and a worthwhile stop, if time permits, along the way to Bishop, the Eastern Sierra, Tuolomne Meadows, or other destination areas.

Fossil Falls offers bouldering, toproping, and traditional climbing on 50+ documented routes up to 100 ft in length. The rock is volcanic basalt, that contains cracks and pocketed faces, made incredibly smooth and polished by the meltwater flows of prehistoric glaciers and the Owen's River. Fossil Falls offers cracks of all sizes, as well as, roofs, bulges, and overhangs on polished basalt. Fossil Falls consists of five distinct areas; the Upper Area (east side & west side), the Lower Area (west side & east side), and Scott's Bluff (WHICH IS CURRENTLY CLOSED TO CLIMBING DUE TO PRIVATE PROPERTY).

Getting There

From US Hwy 395 north, exit on Cinder Road, 3 miles north of Little Lake and 5 miles south of Coso Junction. Drive east on Cinder Road for 1/2 mile to a road on the right marked "Fossil Falls." A short 5-6 minute walk to the east and then south, from the south end of the parking area, leads to the rim of Fossil Falls.

31 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Fossil Falls

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c 10 ● Claustrophobia Crack TR Upper Falls
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 13 ● Birdshit Crack Trad Upper Falls
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 5 ● The Pinwheel TR Upper Falls
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 6 ● Eagle Trad Lower Falls
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 7 ● Rusty Piton Trad, TR Lower Falls
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b 9 ● Sigmoid Crack Trad Upper Falls
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b 5 ● Ride of the Valkyries Trad Lower Falls
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c 5 ● Twilight of the Gods Trad, TR Lower Falls
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a 5 ● Northerners Sport, TR Upper Falls