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Elevation: 6,352 ft
GPS: 34.36339, -117.87841
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 121,840 total · 589/month
Shared By: jt512 on Mar 19, 2007 · Updates
Admins: jt512, Nicole Wiesenthal, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes
Warning Access Issue: Williamson Rock is currently closed to climbing. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Williamson Rock was Southern California's premier sport climbing area until its closure in December 2005. The area features nearly 300 quality routes of all grades from beginner to expert level on highly featured granite. Located in the Angeles National Forest in the San Gabriel Mountains, an hours drive from the city of La Canada, north of Los Angeles, on Highway 2, or 1/2 hour from Wrightwood, if driving from the east.

Prior to its closure in December 2005, in order to protect the dwindling population of the Mountain Yellow Legged Frog (MYLF), Williamson Rock was Southern California's most popular sport crag, and there is a new USFS proposal to reopen the crag in August 2016, from August 1st through November 15, under a Visitor Use Permit system. Williamson Rock is a summer climbing destination, offering quality routes from 5.6 - 5.13, in a beautiful mountain setting, located at 7,000 feet elevation.

The climbing at Williamson Rock can be characterized by technical, often strenuous movements requiring good core strength, body english, creative technique, and endurance to succeed. One should be a competent leader, as there are few opportunities to setup top-ropes without leading. As evidenced by the occasional old rusted bolt and hanger, climbing took place at Williamson Rock following its discovery by members of the Sierra Club Rock Climbing Section (RCS) in 1946, but the development of modern sport climbing began in 1987, and Williamson Rock realized its true potential in the mid-90s with route development by Troy Mayr, Sam Owings, Kevin Mokracek, Jack Marshall, and others. For most routes 8 - 12 quickdraws is sufficient to enjoy the often steep, exciting, and exposed climbing at Williamson Rock.

Getting There Suggest change

Follow the climber's trail from the Williamson Rock parking lot, located about 1/4 mi. east of the Eagles Roost picnic area on SR 2 (Angeles Crest Highway). The approach takes about 15 minutes.

169 Total Climbs

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Location: Williamson Rock Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Williamson Rock

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 10
Being There
Sport 3 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 13
Mushroom
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 7
Totem Pole
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 4
Dancing in the Storm
Sport 2 pitches
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 6
Silvery Scream
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 4
You Are Here
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 7
Valdez
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 4
Freezer Burn
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 14
Dream Speed
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 8
Shroomin'
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 11
The Labyrinth
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 7
Guilty Being White
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 12
Furry Pump
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 7
The Invisible King
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 6
Carpe Diem
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Being There Eagles Roost Buttress
 10
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport 3 pitches
Mushroom Mushroom Boulder
 13
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Totem Pole London Wall
 7
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Dancing in the Storm Eagles Roost Buttress
 4
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport 2 pitches
Silvery Scream Stream Wall
 6
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
You Are Here Headwall/Leaning Pillar
 4
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Valdez Waterfall Wall
 7
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Freezer Burn Freezer Burn Wall
 4
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Dream Speed London Wall
 14
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Shroomin' Mushroom Boulder
 8
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
The Labyrinth London Wall
 11
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Guilty Being White Waterfall Wall
 7
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Furry Pump London Wall
 12
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
The Invisible King Waterfall Wall
 7
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Carpe Diem Waterfall Wall
 6
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in Williamson Rock »

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