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Fisherman's Buttress

California > San Bernardino… > Big Bear Lake Area > Big Bear South > Highway 18 Crags > Fisherman's Buttress…

Description

Fisherman's Buttress (aka Roadside Rock) is located on the south side of Big Bear Lake and offers fantastic climbing with marvelous scenery and a minimal approach.

The climbing here tends to be short and technical with crimpy moves and thoughtful sequences. There are currently 30+ routes in the area with ratings ranging from 5.5 to 5.12, although the bulk of the better routes tend to be 5.11 and up, making this a good alternative to the nearby Holcomb Valley Pinnacles.

Getting There

Easily reached by driving 0.6 miles from the dam at Big Bear Lake on the south shore of the lake. Limited parking is available at three nearby spots.

1) A short distance east of the crag in a dirt pullout on the right side (south) of the road which fits about three vehicles.

2) Across the road from #1 with room for a car or two.

3) Slightly west towards the dam on the lake side of the paved road with room for about five or six vehicles.

From parking location #1 and #2 head upslope and follow a faint trail through boulders which quickly improves. Follow this to Three Fishes Rock and on to the east face of Fisherman's Buttress. From parking location #3 cross the road carefully, and then head uphill to join a trail which leads to the west face of Fisherman's Buttress.

  • Please don't walk along the road or head directly up the hillside - doing either will cause problems at this crag, so please take the extra time to find the trail and prevent any sort of access issues.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

The classic west face view, Fisherman's Buttress
[Hide Photo] The classic west face view, Fisherman's Buttress
Last light filtering through, Fisherman's Buttress
[Hide Photo] Last light filtering through, Fisherman's Buttress
Fisherman's Buttress View
[Hide Photo] Fisherman's Buttress View
Fisherman's Buttress, with the road highlighted in red
[Hide Photo] Fisherman's Buttress, with the road highlighted in red
The approach trail, Fisherman's Buttress
[Hide Photo] The approach trail, Fisherman's Buttress
The impressive north face, Fisherman's Buttress
[Hide Photo] The impressive north face, Fisherman's Buttress
The view from the crag, Fisherman's Buttress
[Hide Photo] The view from the crag, Fisherman's Buttress
South side of the rock, Fisherman's Buttress
[Hide Photo] South side of the rock, Fisherman's Buttress
Fisherman's Buttress from across the lake, Big Bear South
[Hide Photo] Fisherman's Buttress from across the lake, Big Bear South

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Neil Roessler
Ventura, CA
[Hide Comment] This is such a great area. Quality rock, beautiful location and some super asthetic routes. Cannot wait to get back up there to work on a few of the routes on the North Face. Apr 23, 2012
[Hide Comment] Literally right above the road. You can see the west face as your drive from the dam. Jun 29, 2014
Nick Jens
Aarhus, DK
[Hide Comment] This area is really nice with the scenery but the climbing isn't that great. Rock is decent. Short and inconsistent climbs. I think there are a couple pretty good ones though if you climb a really solid 12a. Jun 11, 2017
Chris Owen
Big Bear Lake
[Hide Comment] Definitely a place which is good for the sole. Jul 1, 2019