SPECIAL NOTICE: Condors have been establishing nests at the Pinnacles National Monument. Since condors develop to fledgling more slowly than raptors and vultures closures due to condor nesting is extended past the usual Martin Luther King Day to July 3rd. Again, please check the "Current Raptor Advisory" section of the NPS website and/or the Friends of Pinnacles website for current closures.
As of July 2024 there are three active Condor nests at Pinnacles National Park.
This massive rock, with its 400-foot wall, stands at the head of the canyon. The majestic formation is at the end of the worn approach trail, just uphill from Whitetail Rock. This is a great place to climb on a hot day, as all routes lie on the north face.
Descent: One either can descend via rappel down Power Tools or Costanoan. There are rappel rings on all 4 bolted anchors of Costanoan. This is much safer than downclimbing off the southeast shoulder.
Getting There
Pinnacles National Monument, West Side.
Take the well marked climbers trail off of the Balconies Cave Trail which starts at the Shepherd. Follow past Elephant Rock to the base of the Citadel. Approach is about 45 min from the west side parking lot.
[Hide Comment] The Young Guide says 2 60's are needed to rap off Citadel. I added rings to an intermediate belay on Power Tools, now only ONE 60 meter rope is needed to go top to bottom. Just be careful scrambling down to the top anchors on Power Tools, it's very mossy and very loose.
Jan 10, 2015
[Hide Comment] You can also rap the Citadel with a 60m by abseiling The Flying None down to its P1 anchor then down and climbers right to The Nightman Cometh P1 anchors. This is also a decent option for descending to avoid the cluster that sometimes forms when multiple parties are on Costanoan.
Jan 1, 2025
Santa Cruz