California · Rock climbing · Bishop

First Cliff

First Cliff in California has 17 climbing routes across 10 difficulty grades.

17 routes
5.8 – 5.12c
Trad · Sport

Is First Cliff open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Inyo National Forest.

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

First Cliff is a climbing area in California's John Muir Wilderness, within the White Mountain Ranger District of Inyo National Forest. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits inside designated wilderness. The routes here are all trad, with two sport options, and grades run from 5.8 up to 5.12c. Among the 17 routes, Living the Dream is a 5.8, and Hail Nah! is the hardest at 5.12c. Patricia Bowl and Orange Pillar are both climbing areas about 0.1 mile away. Hilton Lakes is a hike about half a mile off, and Rock Creek Lake Group Campground is roughly 0.7 mile away for an overnight stay. Rock Creek offers canoeing about 2 miles away.

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