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tgunter
Jan 17, 2009, 5:57 PM
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Hi all!
I'm planning for spring break and wanting to find a slightly more obscure area than the traditional areas like Jtree, Moab or Red Rocks. Here's my criteria:
Dog friendly!
Good camping nearby
Moderate (5.7-9) trad routes (Multipitch preferred)
Decent hiking in the area
Areas considered:
Tahquitz (too early in mid March?)
El Cajon Mountain
The Needles (early?)
Others???????
We're coming from Idaho and am leaning towards So Cal as it's easier to meet my partners there.
Thanks!
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billl7
Jan 17, 2009, 7:32 PM
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tgunter wrote: Here's my criteria: Dog friendly! Good camping nearby Moderate (5.7-9) trad routes (Multipitch preferred) Decent hiking in the area
We had a pretty good time there last February on the east side. Stayed in the official campground but we saw decent primitive camping near Owl Rock.
Now, in terms of long moderate multi-pitch, the west side has a stronger attraction for me but we went on the east side since the crags there got more morning sun for winter climbing (February). As I understand, the west side is all primitive camping but still some good sites.
Bill L
Edit: I have not been to the other areas you are considering so I can't discuss the merits of one ot those places over another.
(This post was edited by billl7 on Jan 17, 2009, 7:35 PM)
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lofstromc
Jan 17, 2009, 8:20 PM
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^^ what he said ^^
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Sin
Jan 17, 2009, 9:48 PM
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last year taqhuitz had snow at the base of most climbs, and was a bit scary to get around some areas. You also have to tackle the strenous aproach. If you are considerably fit you should be alright, if not it'll be a heart pounding workout. If you plan on camping there think about the aproach, very steep.
Don't forget to bring a penny for the penny log.
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i_h8_choss
Jan 17, 2009, 10:05 PM
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tgunter wrote: Hi all! I'm planning for spring break and wanting to find a slightly more obscure area than the traditional areas like Jtree, Moab or Red Rocks. Here's my criteria: Dog friendly! Good camping nearby Moderate (5.7-9) trad routes (Multipitch preferred) Decent hiking in the area Areas considered: Tahquitz (too early in mid March?) El Cajon Mountain The Needles (early?) Others??????? We're coming from Idaho and am leaning towards So Cal as it's easier to meet my partners there. Thanks!
Mt Woodson near San Diego has good, short cracks.....there's trad in Bishop but its mostly sport at the gorge and bouldering. How about Yosemite??? Trad out the wazoo and good weather around spring break. Have Fun!
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i_h8_choss
Jan 17, 2009, 10:10 PM
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man I feel like a travel agent sometimes......
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esoteric1
Jan 17, 2009, 11:17 PM
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dude.
you wont find much trad at el cajon mtn and almost none at the grades you want in the needles.
go to tahquits, plenty of hiking pretty dog friendly, camping close by....
and plenty of easy routes...
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ken21il
Jan 17, 2009, 11:27 PM
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Good to see someone else is planning Springbreak... Anyway i was just wondering where this tahquits place is. i havent heard of it and wanted some more info on it. Thanx
(This post was edited by ken21il on Jan 18, 2009, 7:51 PM)
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climbinginchico
Jan 18, 2009, 5:14 PM
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Any national park is not going to be dog friendly. Yosemite arguably the least so.
Tahquitz is a climbing area near Idyllwild in southern Cali. Search the routes database or check it out on mountainproject.com.
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sspssp
Jan 19, 2009, 7:51 PM
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Cochise meets your criteria. Although it will be more of a drive for your So Cal partners.
Way too early for the Needles. I don't think the gate to drive up will open and it will be snowed in anyway.
It isn't obscure, but Moab otherwise would be a good choice. There are a lot of students camping there over spring break, that's true. But the place is huge. If you are willing to explore (and hike a bit) you can get away from the crowds.
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stamplis
Jan 19, 2009, 8:13 PM
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A few others have mentioned Cochise and you said you're looking for something a little more obscure so I'll go ahead and just recommend the whole state of Arizona. Besides Cochise, Mt Lemmon would definitely fit your needs. Probably more dog friendly than Cochise (unless you like leaving your dogs unattended in cougar country for hours at a time), great weather, good camping, a ridiculous amount of easily accessible gear (and sport) routes.
And if you're really looking for something more obscure and adventurous, how about the Superstition Mountains?
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tgunter
Jan 20, 2009, 3:01 AM
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Thanks for the suggestions! Actually one of my partners suggested Cochise as well and I've always wanted to go. Mt Lemmon is fun too but I've spent time there and always favor new areas.
Are the guidebooks for Cochise in print or is the best beta on the net?
Again, I appreciate the help!
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