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Tides at Stinson Beach and Mickey's Beach - How low is low enough?

Original Post
JCM · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 115

Considering a trip this weekend to Stinson Beach to boulder. I have the understanding you want to go at low tide since some of the boulders are inundated at high tide. But how low is low enough? Tips on tide thresholds for the boulder? 

https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Stinson-Beach/tides/latest

For instance, looking at the tide forecast for Sunday 8/14, the major low tide is at 8:25 AM, and then high tide is at 2:33 PM. With the tide coming in over that period, how late in the day could you expect to boulder before the tide forces you out? Getting washed out at 10:30 AM vs not until 1:00 PM makes a big difference in trip planning.

Or alternately: the following Saturday 8/20, there is a minor low tide of 1.9 ft at 1:34 PM. Is this afternoon low tide low enough to climb? Or do you need the lowest tide?

While we're talking about tides, any similar beta on tide levels and Mickey's beach sport climbing is of interest also. As well as any other conditions beta for this whole climbing next to the ocean thing.

ZachP · · Southern NV · Joined Jul 2016 · Points: 29

For sport climbs:
Courtney, Nancy and Squid Vicious are really only climbable at low tide (<1.5 ft). Hot Tuna, Megalodon, Scorpio Rising, etc start from a large boulder, so you can usually stay dry on those for a little longer (tide + swell <2.5 ft), whereas Sturgeon, Gidget and Motion in the Ocean are somewhere in between. Sex Porpoises is climbable at high tide, so long as you skip the first bolt (stick clip the second) and your belayer belays from the upper boulder. Both Mutiny and Naked and Disfigured are climbable with tide + swell <3-3.5 ft, but you'll be trapped on that boulder until the tide goes out.

Note that it also depends on surf, though. Larger waves mean more spray (damp holds) and increase the chances your belayer will get wet. On a calm day, I've able to belay my partner on Megalodon with tides up to 3 ft without getting wet.

Jay Anderson · · Cupertino, CA · Joined May 2018 · Points: 0
ZachP wrote:

Courtney, Nancy and Squid Vicious are really only climbable at low tide (<1.5 ft). Hot Tuna, Megalodon, Scorpio Rising, etc start from a large boulder, so you can usually stay dry on those for a little longer (tide + swell <2.5 ft), whereas Sturgeon, Gidget and Motion in the Ocean are somewhere in between. Sex Porpoises is climbable at high tide, so long as you skip the first bolt (stick clip the second) and your belayer belays from the upper boulder. Both Mutiny and Naked and Disfigured are climbable with tide + swell <3-3.5 ft, but you'll be trapped on that boulder until the tide goes out.

Note that it also depends on surf, though. Larger waves mean more spray (damp holds) and increase the chances your belayer will get wet. On a calm day, I've able to belay my partner on Megalodon with tides up to 3 ft without getting wet.

Mic drop!

Matt Carroll · · Van · Joined Dec 2013 · Points: 266

 I climbed on the are you experienced boulder for a few weekends in June.

Never once paid mind to the tide and it never seemed close enough to be of consideration. Maybe I was just getting lucky? The sand levels do change, so it must get up there sometimes…

Edit to add holy mackerel is a really cool sport climb on main rock at mickeys that I think is more or less always climbable. 

JCM · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 115

Awesome, thanks for the great beta!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern California
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