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hanginaround
Jul 8, 2008, 12:35 PM
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Registered: Sep 28, 2004
Posts: 121
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I was driving up 395 on Friday to go climb Tyndall and a had a little extra time on my hands, so I stopped at Fossil Falls (near the cinder dome and Little Lake, in the deep south of Owens Valley) to do the turon thing.. I down climbed the falls and saw potential for a moderate trad/tr climbing Mecca. I asked around a little with no luck, then I picked up the National Geographic Adventure magazine I brought with me and by dumb luck I found this:
Southern California, Climb Fossil Falls
Fossil Falls, a little-known top-rope paradise east of Highway 395 just north of Little Lake (follow Cinder Road east to the signed 2WD dirt road), is a great high-desert alternative to the hubbub at Joshua Tree. A defunct stretch of the Owens River long ago carved this dried-up defile out of volcanic rock, leaving a low, narrow canyon about a half mile (less than a kilometer) long that's pocked with cracks and holds. One-pitch climbs from 5.1 to 5.11 suit every taste—if one doesn't taste good, there's another one next door that will. The lands below the cliff have been inhabited for 15,000 years, when the world's protocampers bedded down along the now dry lakes and rivers of the Mojave Desert. Up top are views of the southern Sierra, an 11-site primitive campground with water, and, at night, a sky that's far, far from city lights ($6; http://www.blm.gov/...dgecrest/fossil.html).
It looks like a great place to stop and camp on a Friday night, climb some shaded routes in the morning, and then move on to higher altitudes.. Any opinions/beta on the area??
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hanginaround
Jul 9, 2008, 10:10 AM
Post #2 of 5
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Registered: Sep 28, 2004
Posts: 121
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bump..
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apolobamba
Jul 9, 2008, 7:14 PM
Post #3 of 5
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Registered: Jan 22, 2003
Posts: 307
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It is a great top roping area for early season. Good campsite too.
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mitchgripgrabber
Jul 9, 2008, 8:31 PM
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Registered: Mar 13, 2006
Posts: 52
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The Black planets down the road have grat camping and bouldering as well. very hot though
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josiahdood
Aug 27, 2009, 11:37 AM
Post #5 of 5
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Registered: Jan 3, 2005
Posts: 30
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Fossil Falls is sweet! I climb here almost every other day. I work at the geothermal site just up the road and this is about 20 mins from work. A bunch of fun TR's and some decent cracks.
If anyone is ever down to pull some hold here, send me a message.
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