California · Rock climbing · Lake Elsinore

El Chorizo

El Chorizo is a 5-route bouldering crag in California.

5 routes
V4 – V7
Bouldering

Is El Chorizo open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Cleveland National Forest. It doesn't name El Chorizo, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Cleveland National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit El Chorizo

Best months: October–May. 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.

  1. Jan

    66° / 42°

    6 wet

  2. Feb

    67° / 43°

    5 wet

  3. Mar

    72° / 46°

    5 wet

  4. Apr

    76° / 49°

    3 wet

  5. May

    82° / 54°

    1 wet

  6. Jun

    90° / 58°

    0 wet

  7. Jul

    97° / 64°

    1 wet

  8. Aug

    98° / 65°

    1 wet

  9. Sep

    93° / 61°

    1 wet

  10. Oct

    83° / 54°

    2 wet

  11. Nov

    73° / 46°

    3 wet

  12. Dec

    65° / 40°

    5 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Elsinore, CA, 6.4 mi away at 1,268 ft. The station sits about 1,600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

El Chorizo is a bouldering area in California's Cleveland National Forest, within the Trabuco Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the climbing sits among several other crags within a short distance, including Aid Hill, Ridge Trail and Hot Shots Area, making it an easy addition to a day of climbing in this corner of the forest. The area holds five bouldering routes, all rated between V4 and V7 on the V scale. The most notable are El Chorizo at V4, Off Camber at V5 and Lost and Losing at V7. Kevin Riley is the listed first ascender on El Chorizo and Off Camber. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the nearby Elsinore weather station, which sits well below the boulders, run to highs around 76°F in April and 83°F in October, while midsummer highs climb into the mid-90s. As the station sits lower, temperatures at the boulders run cooler. Other climbing is close by, with Aid Hill just 0.1 mile away and Ridge Trail at 0.2 mile. For a longer outing, Falcon Group campground is about 1.5 miles off.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive