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Elevation: 1,399 ft
GPS: 33.984, -117.3917
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
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Shared By: Jordan Ramey on Feb 26, 2007 · Updates
Admins: C Miller, Euan Cameron, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes

Description Suggest change

Mt. Rubidoux or simply Rubidoux is a large 161 acre boulder-covered hill that overlooks the City of Riverside and is a designated park and landmark. The 2009 road improvements greatly boosted the number of walkers, dog walkers, joggers, bicyclists, and climbers enjoying the slopes of Mt. Rubidoux. Unfortunately, the increased traffic has resulted in an increase in litter and graffiti. 

Rubidoux's boulder-strewn hilltop offers not only the ubiquitous boulders, but there are slabs and blocks of light-colored quartz monzonite offering virtually endless quality boulder problems and top-ropes with famous dime edges and relatively smooth texture.

In October of 1983 and 1984 Randy Vogel organized the California Bouldering Contest and helped create new enthusiasm for climbing at Rubidoux that had diminished since the likes of Phil and Paul Gleason, the preternatural Phil Haney and Don O'Kelley frequented the hill since the 1960s, along with the famous dime-edge masters, Kevin Powell and Darrel Hensel in the 1980s & 90s. Numerous guidebooks by Steve Mackey (1976), Randy Vogel (1984 map), Paul Hellweg & Warstler (1988) and Craig Fry (1990) have documented and described the vast number of boulder problems, top-ropes, and climbing routes at Mt. Rudidoux.

Rest assured that there is enough quality climbing to be found at Rubidoux to keep even the most proficient climber busy for years.

Getting There Suggest change

Take Interstate 60 or 91/215 and go to Rubidoux. The mountain is the obvious granite boulder strewn one with a white cross on top of it. From the 91/215, take 14th St. to Redwood (left). 

There is a large parking lot at Ryan Bonaminio Park (5000 Tequesquite Ave) directly south of the main trailhead. 

Ryan Bonaminio Park, Mt. Rubidoux  

If approaching from the west (Interstate 60), take the Mission Blvd. exit and head East. You'll see Mount Rubidoux on your right up ahead. You can then take Redwood (right) to Tequesquite and park at Ryan Bonaminio Park. 

  • The distance from Ryan Bonaminio Park to the Mt. Rubidoux entrance is roughly a 1/4 mile.

302 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Mount Rubidoux

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V1 5
 32
Turtle Dome Crack
Boulder
V1-2 5
 28
Five Niner
Boulder
V2+ 5+ PG13
 17
Beach Problem
Boulder
V2-3 5+
 27
Bumble Bee
Boulder
V4 6B
 17
In the Picture
Boulder
V4-5 6B+
 4
In My Time of Dimes
Boulder
V5 6C R
 8
Over-exposed
Boulder
V5 6C
 26
The Mug
Boulder
V6 7A
 4
Flabob
Boulder
V7 7A+
 5
Pink Bug
Boulder
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c V0 4
 34
The Jam crack
Trad, Boulder
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a V0 4 PG13
 43
Tissiack
TR, Boulder
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 28
The Eye
TR
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c V1-2 5
 5
Surrealistic Pillar
Boulder
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a V4- 6B
 4
Auto Pilot
TR, Boulder
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Turtle Dome Crack Half Moon Area > Turtle Dome
 32
V1 5 Boulder
Five Niner Island Area > Island Wall
 28
V1-2 5 Boulder
Beach Problem Beach Area > Beach Boulder
 17
V2+ 5+ PG13 Boulder
Bumble Bee Borson's Area > Beehive Wall
 27
V2-3 5+ Boulder
In the Picture Island Area > Island Wall
 17
V4 6B Boulder
In My Time of Dimes Cross Rock Area > Cross Rock Bouldering
 4
V4-5 6B+ Boulder
Over-exposed Island Area > Island Wall
 8
V5 6C R Boulder
The Mug Half Moon Area > Harrison Boulder
 26
V5 6C Boulder
Flabob Beach Area > Superstar Slab
 4
V6 7A Boulder
Pink Bug Joe Brown & Hal… > Pink Boulder
 5
V7 7A+ Boulder
The Jam crack Cross Rock Area > English Smooth Sole Slab
 34
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c V0 4 Trad, Boulder
Tissiack Joe Brown & Hal… > Half Dome Boulder
 43
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a V0 4 PG13 TR, Boulder
The Eye Joe Brown & Hal… > Joe Brown
 28
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c TR
Surrealistic Pillar Wall of Glass Area
 5
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c V1-2 5 Boulder
Auto Pilot Borson's Area > Borson's Wall
 4
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a V4- 6B TR, Boulder
More Classic Climbs in Mount Rubidoux »

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