Pine Creek Canyon California

Pine Creek Canyon was recommended for its excellent climbing. Considering climbing there in September. I'm flying to San Francisco from UK. I thought catching a bus to Reno. Possibly renting a car in Reno if someone is able to recommend a cheapish option. Camping in car or camping in campsite if renting too expensive. Any recommendations much appreciated. 

Maybe better to just rent a car in San Francisco, then you can choose to drive to the eastern Sierra via Yosemite, Sonora Pass or Tahoe. 

Hi Colin, Pine Creek is just outside of Bishop, it's fantastic in September.  If it's too hot some days, Rock Creek nearby is a bit higher elevation an also fantastic.  If you haven't made your plans yet maybe consider flying into LAX instead.  You can get a bus from Union Station LA to Bishop.  There used to be a car rental (ENterprise) in Bishop but I thought they closed down a year or so ago.  However, Travelocity is still showing Bishop as a location, so maybe call them directly to check.  If they really are closed there is car rental in Mammoth 40 miles away.

If you already have your flight to SFO, look for direct flights from SFO to the Mammoth airport.  There are 1-2 fights a day.  Not that pricey, will save you time relative to going to Reno.  Reno is a bit of a drive to Bishop.  I live outside of LA and I can drive to Bishop in about the same time my Reno friends can drive to Bishop.

People camping on a budget will often stay at the Pit:

https://www.blm.gov/visit/pleasant-valley-pit-campground

I myself prefer the BLM campground at Horton Creek because it's more scenic.  There is free camping around, if you have a car you'll have no trouble getting to it.  

We have a Holiday here "labor Day".  It's Monday September 5.  That weekend will be a complete zoo, do yourself a favor and arrive Tuesday 9/6 at the earliest.

Pine Creek is amazing! There’s tons of sport climbing in the shade and trad climbing in the sun so whatever the temps are, you can find great conditions.  There’s also a campsite on the opposite side of the road from Pratt’s Crack Gully, right along the creek which is nice. 

Info in the posts so far is all good. Pine Creek is nice. Free dispersed camping in Pine Creek is a nice option. The camping down in the desert (at The Pit, etc) is hot then.

You should rent a car if at all possible. It would be very difficult to make the trip work without a car since the climbing, camping, and town are all fairly spaced apart. Unless you find a partner with a car to help you get around. 

per Phyls’ response re: car rentals, yes Enterprise still operates but only when the flights are there.

been thinking of doing that myself.

Re: Guidebooks. There is a nice book for Pine Creek:

https://sagetosummit.com/products/pine-creek-climbing-guidebook

September is also an ideal time for a lot of the climbing around Mammoth, 45 min north of Pine Creek. it's worth spending some time up there in addition to your time in Pine Creek. Sport, trad, and bouldering all available and in season in Mammoth then, on granite and volcanic rock. That's all covered in the Mammoth guidebook:

https://sagetosummit.com/products/mammoth-area-rock-climbs

The books will be available to buy locally at any of the climbing shops in Bishop or Mammoth. 

The Owens River Gorge is nearby also, with extensive good climbing. However, it is pretty hot still in September. Climbable in the shade, but you're generally better off sticking to higher elevations in Pine Creek and Mammoth in Sept. However, if the area gets hit by an unseasonably cold/stormy weather pattern in late Sept (this can happen), the Gorge is a perfect refuge from the mountain weather.

Thanks everyone for responding. Food for thought. 

Fires have dramatically impacted air quality .I would wait long as possible before deciding where to climb.Renting a car in San Francisco does give you more options but AMTRAK & YARTS to Tuolumne is probably a lot cheaper. Have a great trip !

You're coming to CA from the UK and you're going to Pine Creek instead of Yosemite?  

Fat Dad wrote:

You're coming to CA from the UK and you're going to Pine Creek instead of Yosemite?  

Fat when was the last time you visited the “Valley”… it’s very changed now. It’s a hassle to even go to the store now.
Pine Creek, Bishop, Mammoth is a much better place to go climbing at I’m sorry to say.

Colin have a wonderful time! 

I'm planning to go to Yosemite for all of October. I was last there in 2011. Does the 14 day rule only apply May to end of September. Is it possible to have 14 days in the Valley from the 1st September, leave, and then take 30 days from 1st October? 

You get 30 days camping in Yosemite for the year, total, plus additional restrictions in summer. Camp 4 is lottery only through end of Sept. Sept is hot in the Valley anyway. Just wait until October. 

Hanging out on the East side in Sept will be awesome. So much good climbing, lot of variety, nice weather. Lots of open space, easy free camping. The scenery is mind blowing. It's a world class area in its own right. Spending Sept on the East Side then October in Yosemite Valley is a perfect plan.

I wouldn't recommend spending all of Sept in Pine Creek though. It's a great crag, but is just one piece of a mega climbing region. Climb a bunch in Pine Creek for sure, but also visit Cardinal Pinnacle, Rock Creek, volcanic crags near Mammoth, hike into the Sierra backcountry, and so on. It's all pretty close together and the variety is part of what makes the East Side so special. 

Tuolumne is a hassle this year with the road construction, closed campground, and permits, but if you're basing yourself on the Eastside you can still take some short side trips up there to get a bit of Tuolumne time during Sept, if that is of interest. Again, it's all reasonably close together 

Really appreciate all your suggestions. Thanks 

Just as an fyi, Reno has an airport and rental cars.

Guy Keesee wrote:

Fat when was the last time you visited the “Valley”… it’s very changed now. It’s a hassle to even go to the store now.
Pine Creek, Bishop, Mammoth is a much better place to go climbing at I’m sorry to say.

Colin have a wonderful time! 

Last time in the Valley was last summer during a rad heat wave.  It was 104 and all I wanted to do was lie in the shade.  Plus, I asked about Yosemite (not just the Valley) because after Labor Day things change considerably.  I don't think I'd go back to the Valley in the summer, but the Meadows absolutely yes.  Pine Creek is fun.  It just seemed like a long way to travel and not hit Yosemite.  

agree with fat dad.  september sounds like the perfect time to hit tuolumne - yep, that's still yosemite, has excellent climbing, is a lot less crowded, has easy camping just outside the park, and would be a shame to miss when coming to california from the UK...