Northwest California Climbing

Northwest California encompasses a large geographic area, bounded by I-5 to the east, Highway 20 to the south, the Oregon border to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Climbing exists on numerous rock types, including sandstone (Promontory, Footsteps, High Bluffs), quartzite (Land Of The Lost), and granite (The Grotto, Trinity Alps), among others.

However, limestone is the draw of northwestern California and is the real deal. The Trinity Aretes, Marble Caves, Lover's Leap, Cecilville Bluffs, Castle Rock, the Caverns, and a number of smaller areas offer excellent limestone sport climbing crags hiding in plain view in the wilds of the region. Limestone can be found year-round; whereas the Trinity Aretes are primarily a summer crag, the Marble Caves and Cecilville Bluffs are best fall through spring. Wherever you go, you are unlikely to see many other climbers, if any. The relative lack of traffic often adds a bit of adventure to the climbing scene, but it is more than made up for in absence of crowds and quality of climbing.

If bouldering is more your speed, numerous blocs line the beaches from Arcata to Crescent City. Bouldering can be found inland as well, often in river-associated locations.