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Elevation: 2,743 ft
GPS: 37.2257, -122.0984
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 41,866 total · 160/month
Shared By: Matt Andrews on Sep 27, 2002 · Updates
Admins: Aron Quiter, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes
Warning Access Issue: Trails are closed from sunset to 6:00 am. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

This Rock requires a bit of a hike, but is well worth it for its pleasant shaded atmosphere, and the number of moderate slab routes (5.8-5.11mumble) it offers. All of the routes can be relatively easily top roped, and most are bolted.

Getting There Suggest change

Approach Time: 10 - 20 minutes.

Option 1: Start from the Castle Rock State Park parking lot, and start down the Saratoga Gap trail (the entrance is about 15 yards to the left of the latrine) for about 200 yards to a side trail which splits off to the left up the hill at a signpost.

Follow the left trail up the hill through a number of switchbacks until you see the first smaller unmarked trail to the right (there is a log along the right side of the main trail which separates it from the smaller trail and a sign informing you that this is not 'the' trail.) Take this right trail, and if you see a series of nice looking boulders on your left (the largest with a small cavelike formation called The Graveyard Boulders and Pyramid Rock) you have gone too far.

Take the climbers trail for about 100 yards to a moderate clearing (this used to be part of an old road.) There are two small trails (ok, they look more like goat paths than trails) on the far side of the clearing. One leads up and to the right of Chew Tooth Rock, while the other leads down directly to the top of The Underworld. Top ropes for most of the climbs here can be set up from one of 2 sets of bolts accessible from here.

Option 2: Start from the Castle Rock State Park parking lot, and start down the Castle Rock Trail. It will go left from the trailhead. Stay on the trail for about a half mile until you see the climbing trail on the left side of the trail. At the intersection, there will be a sign that says "trail" with an arrow point to the right. This is for the main trail. Go left and take the climber trail for about 100 yards until you reach a split in the trail. Stay left. You will pass by Chewtooth on your left and begin to go downhill. The top of California Ride will be shortly after on your right side. The trail splits right after, with the left continuing to the Underworld. When you reach the steepest section, the rock will become visible. Stay left when the trail splits for the last time. This is the easiest way to descend into the Underworld. 

11 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Underworld Rock

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 53
Hair Dresser
Trad, Sport, TR
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 69
Hit Man
Sport, TR
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 35
Drug Lord
Sport, TR
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 19
Gestapo Priest
Sport, TR
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 70
Up The Poop Chute
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 8
High on Adrenaline
Sport, TR
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 19
Black Market Babies
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Hair Dresser
 53
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad, Sport, TR
Hit Man
 69
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport, TR
Drug Lord
 35
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport, TR
Gestapo Priest
 19
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport, TR
Up The Poop Chute
 70
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
High on Adrenaline
 8
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport, TR
Black Market Babies
 19
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
More Classic Climbs in Underworld Rock »

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