Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 576 ft 176 m
GPS: 34.07777, -118.59259
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 58,843 total · 310/month
Shared By: Michael Bartosek on Jul 9, 2009 · Updates
Admins: jt512, Nicole Wiesenthal, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes

Description Suggest change

This area is sensitive to plants and wildlife due to the location being near a year-round water source. California State Park biologists regularly conduct field work in this area, and are aware of climber impact. Please keep a low profile, do not cut vegetation, and do not leave trash or fixed ropes. This is primarily a bouldering area that lies in the Canyon to the East of Topanga Canyon Blvd (27). I understand there are some top rope options in the area too. This area is described very well in Craig Fry's Southern California Bouldering Guide (2nd edition).

REMINDER: Like other crags in the Santa Monica mountains, the rock here can be soft and subject to brittleness due to rain.  Please give the rock a few days to dry out, and a few additional extra days for climbs with some of the more suspect holds.

Getting There Suggest change

If you park in the town of Topanga, head south along Topanga Canyon Blvd for approximately 1/2 mile and look for a small use trail on the west (right) side of the road. This leads to a graffiti covered culvert that will take you under Hwy 27 and down to the canyon bottom. Once at the bottom, head right (downstream) for about 1/8 mile or so and you will run into what I have dubbed "Area 1". The boulders are not purple here but there is ample evidence of climbing and the problems look to be relatively moderate. Continue downstream for another 1/8 mile and you will come to the Purple Stones North area. The Purple Stones South area is found approximately 1/8 mile downstream from this area.

42 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Purple Stones Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Purple Stones

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V-easy 3
 10
Pyramid Arete
Boulder
V-easy 3
 13
Pyramid Face
Boulder
V-easy 3 R
 6
Sandy Beach
Boulder
V1 5 R
 4
Muscle Beach
Boulder
V1 5
 19
Illuminati
Boulder
V1 5 R
 8
Broken Flake
Boulder
V2 5+
 16
When the Levee Breaks
Boulder
V2 5+
 4
Pan Am
Boulder
V2-3 5+
 17
Maple Canyon Arete
Boulder
V4 6B PG13
 4
Lode Stone
Boulder
V4 6B
 14
The Seam
Boulder
V4 6B
 12
Colorado Arete
Boulder
V5 6C
 12
The Centerpiece
Boulder
V7 7A+
 12
Whirlpool Roof
Boulder
V8 7B
 7
Purple Prow
Boulder
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Pyramid Arete Purple Stones N… > Purple Pyramid
 10
V-easy 3 Boulder
Pyramid Face Purple Stones N… > Purple Pyramid
 13
V-easy 3 Boulder
Sandy Beach Purple Stones N… > Zodiac Boulder
 6
V-easy 3 R Boulder
Muscle Beach Purple Stones N… > Zodiac Boulder
 4
V1 5 R Boulder
Illuminati Headwaters
 19
V1 5 Boulder
Broken Flake Purple Stones N… > Naked Edge Boulder
 8
V1 5 R Boulder
When the Levee Breaks Headwaters
 16
V2 5+ Boulder
Pan Am Purple Stones N… > Colorado Boulder
 4
V2 5+ Boulder
Maple Canyon Arete Headwaters
 17
V2-3 5+ Boulder
Lode Stone Purple Stones N… > Zodiac Boulder
 4
V4 6B PG13 Boulder
The Seam Headwaters
 14
V4 6B Boulder
Colorado Arete Purple Stones N… > Colorado Boulder
 12
V4 6B Boulder
The Centerpiece Headwaters
 12
V5 6C Boulder
Whirlpool Roof Purple Stones South
 12
V7 7A+ Boulder
Purple Prow Purple Stones N… > Naked Edge Boulder
 7
V8 7B Boulder
More Classic Climbs in Purple Stones »

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading