Winter climbing

I am based out of Sacramento and as winter has come my places to trad and sport climb have dwindled, So I would love some ideas, Even if you come across this thread years later and have ideas.

I'm aware and frequent:

• Consumnes
• Sugarloaf
• Auburn

In the last two years, el cap has held all season long - might not want to try to top out in jan but can easily be the best 1000-1500ft crag anywhere, imo. 

There’s tons of places, but you need to be more specific.

 i.e. within 50 miles from Sacramento, 100, 200+?? 

Table Mtn
St. Helena
Diablo

Hit the weather right and Yosemite, especially the lower river canyons.

Also Stinson/coastal crags, or go north to the mill or marble caves if you are willing to drive a little further for great sport climbing. 

Table mountain in Sonora. Far Side gets all day sun and is warm even on the coldest days

Have you tried ice ? Lee Vining is always interesting but some winters there are good places around Tahoe too.

Las Vegas

Brooks K wrote:

Las Vegas

^^ Of course the Bay Area climber says " Or you could drive 8 hours to go climbing..."

Many good suggestions so far. Sunny lower canyon crags in Yosemite. Sonora area sport climbing. Consumes, Auburn, Sugarloaf.  The coast. Wine Country crags. Lots to do when it's not dumping rain like it was this past weekend.

Not mentioned yet: Pinnacles (a bit farther, but a reasonable weekend trip). Woodfords can a good option for some Tahoe granite during the winter, during warm/dry spells.

General thought: bouldering is a great part of the local repertoire for winter. There are some nice options nearby. If you live in Sac and don't boulder, you're missing out on a big part of the local climbing resource. Plus bouldering is friendlier to cold temps and short days. Vacaville, Putah, and Rocklin are convenient and surprisingly enjoyable local winter areas. For a longer day trip, Columbia is ridiculously high quality bouldering. Woodfords is often good for winter bouldering on granite. Yosemite can be quite nice for winter bouldering during dry spells. And a 4 day long weekend trip to Bishop is an essential winter outing.

Woodfords Canyon

Star Wall at Donner if you go hard

Owen’s River Gorge (bring sunscreen)

Owl Rock (jk unless you like roped moderate boulder problems)

River Rock outside Reno

John Clark wrote:

Owl Rock (jk unless you like roped moderate boulder problems)

I hadn't heard of this place before and looked it up. Regardless of the quality of the climbing, props to whoever came up with the owl themed routes names. Great theme naming there. "Too Hoot To Handle". 

https://www.mountainproject.com/area/classics/106307303/owl-rock

I don't think I'd drive all the way there from Sac, but looks like a nice resource for the Reno folks.

Calaveras Domes if you got a couple days. Easily one of the best winter crags as long as it’s dry.

If bouldering is not an option and the weather has been wet, unless you want to drive to Bishop, St Helena is the best winter crag around. Probably 2 hours from Sac.
Don’t leave any valuables in your car though. The dumpster fire that is California has spread into nearly every nook and cranny, so some dope fiend may feel entitled to your stuff. 

Salamanizer Ski wrote:

Calaveras Domes if you got a couple days. Easily one of the best winter crags as long as it’s dry.

If bouldering is not an option and the weather has been wet, unless you want to drive to Bishop, St Helena is the best winter crag around. Probably 2 hours from Sac.
Don’t leave any valuables in your car though. The dumpster fire that is California has spread into nearly every nook and cranny, so some dope fiend may feel entitled to your stuff. 

What road are you getting to it in winter? I though all the roads were washed out except Ellis which is snowed in all winter/early spring. Have road conditions changed? Love to know, please DM if you don’t want to publicly share, I’m only 2.5 away and love the place