scrambles near San Diego

Hello,

I've just moved to San Diego and I am trying to find places that I can go scrambling. Not climbing. Not hiking. But class 2/3/4 scrambles that I can work on exposure and mountaineering skills.

Have wheels. Can drive. Anything within 5 hours is game. I was thinking Mt. Russell over by Lone Pine, but I'm not sure if I need to get permits this time of year and if that is feasible or if the Mt. Whitney lottery thingee applies to Mt. Russell. What else is interesting in the Southern Sierras?

Cheers,

Christine

South Buttress of El Cajon Mtn, well to the west of the climbing routes listed on MP. It's closed for raptor nesting from Dec 15 to maybe August 15. A couple Decembers ago, I watched a helicopter rescue of someone who might have been off route.

Hey George, how ya been? Hope to see you out in SD again this year and get some climbs in.

Christine,
Sounds like southern Sierras is your best bet if your willing to drive at least 5 hours. There is stuff south of Lone Pine as well too. The area just north Kern River in the Domelands area looked like it had a lot of good stuff too. Was just there for the 1st time a few months ago. A lot of what might work here locally is too hot right now, El Cajon Mtn, Stonewall Peak, etc..

Hi Claudio -- Haven't been there for long time. Will let you know I'm out that way.

Christine,

What the other guys mentioned plus:

Indian Head Peak (Anza Borrego), 1 hr drive
Mt Baldy to Iron Mountain Traverse (San Gabriels) 2 hours drive

I have not done either of these scrambles, but heard about them from a friend who enjoys these types of outings.

Local scrambles are best November through March as it's too hot the rest of the year. Many options in the Southern Sierra. Mounts Mallory, Irvine and LaConte come to mind.

Will post more info if needed.

Cheers
Vlad

South of I8 east of Yuma there are many spectacular desert peaks that make great scrambles in the winter. Some are in the Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Refuge / Wilderness but many are north of that area. Take a weekend and drive out there - It's about 2.5 to 3 hours.

An almost alpine day can be had scrambling Toro Peak from the 4x4 road that leads into Rock House Canyon east of the Borrego Salton Seaway via Clark Dry Lake. Best if you can arrange for someone to pick you up at the top to save your knees from the descent. Depending on how far up the Rock House Canyon "road" you get before starting the climb it's 6,000 to 7,000 foot of gain without a trail.

Cornell Peak near Mt. San Jacinto is fun. There are probably a couple of other small peaks/outcrops up there you could scramble on. Also check out the book Desert Summits by Andy Zdon. There's a few socal scrambles in there.