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Lancaster/Palmdale Climbing Community?

Original Post
Weronia L · · California · Joined Apr 2018 · Points: 32

How is the climbing community out in the Lancester and Palmdale area? Does it have an active community? I was wondering where people go for indoor and outdoor climbing. Thanks! 

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276

I believe Palmdale is close to The Devil's Punchbowl, which has climbing.

https://www.mountainproject.com/v/106407217

Joe Garibay · · Ventura, Ca · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 86

Go to Apple Valley or new jack. Then there’s Texas canyon the other way. Better yet, shoot up to Alabama hills or bishop 

plantmandan · · Rice Lake, WI · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 95

I used to live near there. There is not a lot of climbing within an hour drive, but you have many great options within a 3-4 hour driving radius. Devil's Punchbowl is awesome, but it doesn't take long to climb that place out. Your best bet is overnight trips to places like Joshua Tree or Holcomb Valley (~2.5 hr drive), or Bishop (~3.5 hr drive).  

As for the climbing community, I'm not sure these days, but at a minimum you can probably connect with climbers from LA. There is no indoor climbing gym that I am aware of. 

Weronia L · · California · Joined Apr 2018 · Points: 32

Thanks everyone! I’m still wondering if there is an active climbing community within Palmdale/Lancaster area. 

Joe Garibay · · Ventura, Ca · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 86
Weronika Lojewska wrote: Thanks everyone! I’m still wondering if there is an active climbing community within Palmdale/Lancaster area. 

Likely not, due to no climbing spots within those cities. Active climbing communities would only appear in active climbing locals such as the places we mentioned. Search instead for people that love or like to frequent the areas mentioned and build your own friendships and communities with people that get out often. It’s not hard to do if you’re willing to get after it. I’m going to again recommend New Jack City because it’s a popular sport climbing area with many routes, not far from you. A great place to consistently meet up with new or recurring partners. Holcomb Valley, as mentioned could be a great secondary local. Visit and learn the areas mentioned, they are the places you want to and should be climbing. Other hidden spots nearby will reveal themselves once you’ve put in the work and time. Good luck and safe climbing. 

Kevin Mokracek · · Burbank · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 363

Angeles Crest has good climbing, Tunnels, Horse Flats, Punchbowl, Willy if it ever opens again.  There is also stuff real close to Lancaster but I’ll just leave it at that.  

I know you were asking about community but you are so close to Angeles Crest that anyone who lives in LA area could easily meet you there.  

Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349
plantmandan wrote: I used to live near there. There is not a lot of climbing within an hour drive, but you have many great options within a 3-4 hour driving radius. Devil's Punchbowl is awesome, but it doesn't take long to climb that place out. Your best bet is overnight trips to places like Joshua Tree or Holcomb Valley (~2.5 hr drive), or Bishop (~3.5 hr drive).  

As for the climbing community, I'm not sure these days, but at a minimum you can probably connect with climbers from LA. There is no indoor climbing gym that I am aware of. 

You didn’t look very hard, lots of recently discovered stuff very close by. Things change- I never thought I’d go camping close to Mohave- ever. 

No community at all unless you’re into Meth- California City is Ground Zero for that! 
https://youtu.be/TYoqCi8MDiA
Sean Post · · Golden, CO · Joined Apr 2017 · Points: 31
Cody M · · Mammoth Lakes · Joined Jun 2015 · Points: 25

I live in Lancaster, there's a small group of friends that I have that get out every now and then, though I would like to get out more often. The punchbowl is a great spot but there are also many other locations an hour drive at most. 

Ryan L · · Lancaster, CA · Joined Nov 2016 · Points: 0

I live in Lancaster as well. Let me know if you want to get out and climb. 

Pat Brennan · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 0

There is bouldering at Lake Los Angeles

Joe Garibay · · Ventura, Ca · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 86

Also to note, high desert climbing season is pretty much done for unless you’re a lizard. From Palmdale I would head up to the Tunnels at Angeles Crest or up the 395 for cooler temps. 

Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349
Joe Garibay wrote: Also to note, high desert climbing season is pretty much done for unless you’re a lizard. From Palmdale I would head up to the Tunnels at Angeles Crest or up the 395 for cooler temps. 

Joe.... we went to the Coso Mts week before last... it turned into a winter camping trip! 

The Punchbowl, in the shade, is good all year long. 
A community is a very rare thing in climbing. I have several friends who have moved to Bishop. The one thing they miss the most is the complete lack of community. They all really miss Stoney Point- go figure. 
Nate... I find that if you take the 58 across it’s better. 
Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349

I love long drives. If you have time do the trans Sierra drive via California Hot Springs, Johnsondale, and over Sherman Pass.... takes a ton of time and has you constantly driving the twistys forever. Helps if you are driving some sort of performance sports car.
Safe travels 

Joe Garibay · · Ventura, Ca · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 86
Guy Keesee wrote:

Joe.... we went to the Coso Mts week before last... it turned into a winter camping trip! 

The Punchbowl, in the shade, is good all year long. 
A community is a very rare thing in climbing. I have several friends who have moved to Bishop. The one thing they miss the most is the complete lack of community. They all really miss Stoney Point- go figure. 
Nate... I find that if you take the 58 across it’s better. 

Awesome time in Coso. Weather held out just long enough for you. Good to hear. Chasing shade in the desert does work well if you know where to go, but the heat is rolling in. Quick question, going to the Kern to chase shade this weekend. Since the river is raging, could you recommend a calm swimming or floating hole to hang at? 4x4 accessible is ok. I was thinking maybe up Corral Creek perhaps, hows that crag? Or maybe west of French Gulch? 

 Sorry to jack your thread...
Barbara Fredette · · Pinon Hills, CA · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 0

I live in Pinon Hills, and work in Lancaster. The active climbing community here is in Victorville/ Apple Valley, due to the Hanger 18 gym in Victorville, and Fairview. Check out High Desert Climbers Facebook page for some info. Early morning climbing is about all you can do around here now, but lots of folks do go then.

Kevin Mokracek · · Burbank · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 363

Head up to Angeles Crest.  You can climb all summer up there.  Pacifico should be open soon but watch out for rattlers, Ive seen some big ones up there.

Kevin Mokracek · · Burbank · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 363
Joe Garibay wrote:

Awesome time in Coso. Weather held out just long enough for you. Good to hear. Chasing shade in the desert does work well if you know where to go, but the heat is rolling in. Quick question, going to the Kern to chase shade this weekend. Since the river is raging, could you recommend a calm swimming or floating hole to hang at? 4x4 accessible is ok. I was thinking maybe up Corral Creek perhaps, hows that crag? Or maybe west of French Gulch? 

 Sorry to jack your thread...

Brush Creek off the Sherman Pass road has good pools.  

Joe Garibay · · Ventura, Ca · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 86
Kevin Mokracek wrote:

Brush Creek off the Sherman Pass road has good pools.  

Thank you Kevin! And when you say Pacifico should be open, does that mean you can drive right to it now?

Kevin Mokracek · · Burbank · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 363
Joe Garibay wrote:

Thank you Kevin! And when you say Pacifico should be open, does that mean you can drive right to it now?

No, you park at a turnout on the way to the campground and walk about a quarter mile to the crag. 

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Southern California
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