| Shelf Ridge (Couch Rock) |
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View from Couch Rock (top of Shelf Ridge).
Description A few trad lines, one or two bolted routes, and a good amount of quality bouldering, all with insanely great views of the Ojai Valley.
Getting There Park as for Shelf Road (top of Gridley Road, one half mile before the road ends at the Gridley Trailhead). Hike up Shelf Road and gain the top of the first hill, then follow the road downhill and look for a steep trail (single track) heading up the hillside on the right. The distance from the parking lot to the single track turnoff is 0.28 miles. This trail will take you the rest of the way to Couch Rock, with the first boulders (Blockhead and Californio boulders) appearing after 0.55 miles (from parking lot).
The ClassicsMountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Shelf Ridge (Couch Rock):
Featured Route For Shelf Ridge (Couch Rock)
BETA PHOTO: Boulder problem near Couch Rock.
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BETA PHOTO: Profile of the arete.
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| Comments on Shelf Ridge (Couch Rock) |
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By Alexander B.
From: Ojai CA
Dec 18, 2012
| As far as I know, all routes here were put up by Reese Martin. Some boulder problems were done too with a couple new ones have being added recently. Bring a nice big nylon bristle brush to clean holds with; most of the problems here are new and have seen very little traffic. I'll be posting some pics of problems on the Californio and Dry Heat boulders soon. |
By Alexander B.
From: Ojai CA
Dec 18, 2012
| This area has been referred to, for decades at least, as Shelf Ridge (it being the ridge above and paralleling Shelf Road). I think it was during high school (ten years ago) that I heard people calling the place "Couch Rock", however. Many other locals have enjoyed hiking to this place, and still do every day, and practically all of them know of the place as Couch Rock. So I included both names for the sake of clarification. |
By Richard Shore
Dec 19, 2012
| Aren't there some access issues with this place? The Edwards guide seems to suggest so. It would be prudent of you to include any crag access issues on this page, Alexander. |
By Alexander B.
From: Ojai CA
Apr 3, 2013
| Thank you Richard for reminding me. The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy is in the process of acquiring the land above Shelf Road, thus removing any hurdles to public access. Last I heard it will be a couple months before trails will begin being laid down, but already climbers can use the most popular access trail by parking on Gridley for Shelf Road. Please represent the climbing community well by packing out all trash. The area immediately around Couch Rock has been hit especially hard by various types of people/hikers/stoners/etc. and trash has begun to accumulate. Please help by picking some up! |
By Alexander B.
From: Ojai CA
Apr 5, 2013
| New article in the Ojai Valley News today regarding the Valley View Preserve. Check it out! |
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