California · Rock climbing · Pinecrest

Columns of the Giants

Columns of the Giants in California has 2 climbing routes.

Photo: GSEC, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

2 routes

5.7 – 5.8

Trad · Mixed

Is Columns of the Giants open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Columns of the Giants, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

Stanislaus National Forest extends seasonal MVUM closure for two high elevation roads
Agency closure covering Stanislaus National Forest · USFS · Stanislaus National Forest
Extension of Seasonal Road Closures
Agency closure covering Stanislaus National Forest · USFS · Stanislaus National Forest
Temporary Fire Restrictions High Hazard Area Stanislaus National Forest
Agency alert covering Stanislaus National Forest · USFS · Stanislaus National Forest
Temporary Moderate Hazard Fire Restrictions Stanislaus National Forest
Agency alert covering Stanislaus National Forest · USFS · Stanislaus National Forest

As of Oct 23, 7:55 pm PDT · Source: USFS · Stanislaus National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Columns of the Giants

Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

Jan
43° / 10°
5 wet · 4 snow
Feb
45° / 13°
5 wet · 3 snow
Mar
52° / 20°
4 wet · 3 snow
Apr
59° / 25°
3 wet · 1 snow
May
67° / 32°
3 wet · 1 snow
Jun
77° / 39°
2 wet
Jul
85° / 43°
3 wet
Aug
84° / 41°
2 wet
Sep
78° / 34°
2 wet
Oct
66° / 24°
2 wet
Nov
55° / 17°
3 wet · 1 snow
Dec
45° / 12°
5 wet · 3 snow

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bridgeport, CA, 31.6 mi away at 6,470 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Columns of the Giants is a climbing area in the Summit Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of other destinations, with Pigeon Flat campground, The Cave climbing area and the Columns of the Giants Trail all about 0.3 miles away. The climbing here is modest in scale, with two routes listed: Hexentric, a trad climb at 5.7, and Lincoln Logs, a mixed route at 5.8. Both are on the lower end of the YDS scale, so the area works well for climbers looking for a straightforward outing. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. Typical averages from the nearby Bridgeport weather station show May highs around 67°F and September highs around 78°F, while winter brings highs in the mid-40s and a few snowy days each month from December through February. Pigeon Flat and Eureka Valley campgrounds are both within half a mile, and the Seven Pines hike is about 1.3 miles away.