Climbing Near Jamestown, California

Table mountain is an amazing place. Flat on top with sheer cliffs on each side, it winds for miles across the Sonora Pass area. It is a source of pride for local geologists, as it is an amazing example of an "inverted stream" formed by a river bed filling with lava, explaining its flat-topped, winding appearance. There is some disagreement on this subject, but the rock is Latite. Presently, there's a lot of development in the area. WATCH OUT FOR POISON OAK. The approach to many of the climbing areas is overgrown with it, and it can be found at the base (and even on the rock face) of many climbs. Check out this drone fly-by for a look at Table Mountain and the surrounding area. Table Mountain is a ways east of the Bay Area, but it kicks ass none-the-less. From the Bay Area, head like you're going to Yosemite; 580 east to 205 east to 5 north for a mile, then 120 east. A while after Oakdale, go straight on 108 where 120 goes right. At Jamestown take a left on Rawhide Road (there's a stop light) go over the narrow bridge and continue on Rawhide for 1.9 miles, then make a sharp left onto Shell Road. Shell Road turns into a dirt road at a gate 1.5 miles down road. At this point you're probably going to want a high clearance vehicle, or to just hike it.NOTE - THERE IS NO CAMPING ALLOWED ON SHELL ROAD ANYWHERE.Open a closed gate at the presumed end of the road, drive through, close the gate, and drive (carefully, you're on private property) over some rough road. Continue onwards to a second gate (which is sometimes closed, sometimes open) and pass through. Parking is between this gate and the final (semi-permanently) locked gate.

This wall contains many sport routes of varying intermediate difficulty, from 5.8 - 5.10c. There are currently 8 bolted routes, all containing well protected hidden holds and other random Table Mountain fun. Some routes are vertical, and others contain some overhanging sections. This and all the other back areas are in the sun in the midday,and see shade in the morning and late afternoon. Due to the longer approach, it is obvious that these areas aren't visited quite as often as the front areas, though for 5.10 climbers, this back is where you want to be. All routes on the Senior Wall you should either lower or rappel. Approach time: 42 - 62 minutesNOTE - THERE IS NO CAMPING ALLOWED ON SHELL ROAD ANYWHERE. From the second gate (in your car). Park immediately after the second gate, and you will see two white gates. One is straight ahead, and one is to the left. You want to take the gate on the left, which is always locked. This leads you onto a wide fairly unused service trail that gently climbs uphill. this route uphill, following the brown trail signs with arrows on them.After about 1/4 of a mile, you will notice a smaller trail that heads to the left, which you should take. Going straight leads you to the fissures. Following this narrow trail uphill and around overgrown everything, WATCH OUT FOR POISON OAK. This will head to less gently uphill switchbacks, which take you to the top of the mountain rather quickly.Once at the top, you will find yourself in a huge open area,which is quite gorgeous, but WATCH OUT FOR SNAKES. You will see 3 small oak trees in the distance a little right from the ridge,which you should head towards. There is no large trail heading over there, and there probably won't be anytime soon. Head to the left tree, and you will find the STEEP down trail heading left off the top about 20 yards from the leftmost (easternmost) tree.This sketchy trail is covered in poison oak, and will go east and away from the edge for a while, and then will head back to the right and towards the cliff.The first rock you see on the right with bolts on it is The Far Side. If you continue down (approx 20 yards) the scree field, at the bottom you will find a trail heading right in the rocks, but at the bottom. This will head towards the right, and will head a little ways West. It will then head uphill and back towards the rock, and as soon you can see the wall, you will be right in front of the waterfall route. If you continue along the face,you will see the many bolted routes of the rest of the Senior Wall.

First Wall you see at the parking lot, never busy with climbers with lots of fun routes. From the parking lot hike up the Table Mt. summit trail, after a few hundred look for climbers trail right to base on the crag.NOTE - THERE IS NO CAMPING ALLOWED ON SHELL ROAD ANYWHERE.