California · Rock climbing · Dunsmuir

The Grotto

Grotto, The is a climbing crag in California with 5 routes.

Photo: theforestprimeval, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

5 routes

5.11a – 5.11d

Trad · Sport

Is Grotto, The open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shasta-Trinity National Forest. It doesn't name Grotto, The, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

Road Closure on Wild Mad Road
Agency closure covering Shasta-Trinity National Forest · Order 14-25-09 · USFS · Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Mud and Ash Creek Area and Road Closure
Agency closure covering Shasta-Trinity National Forest · Order 14-25-07 · USFS · Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Bailey Cove Road Closure Order
Agency alert covering Shasta-Trinity National Forest · Order 14-25-11 · USFS · Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Trout Creek Bridge Closure Order
Agency alert covering Shasta-Trinity National Forest · Order 14-26-02 · USFS · Shasta-Trinity National Forest
South Fork Suspension Bridge Closure
Agency alert covering Shasta-Trinity National Forest · Order 14-25-30 · USFS · Shasta-Trinity National Forest

As of Oct 23, 7:50 pm PDT · Source: USFS · Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit The Grotto

Best months: April–October. 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
44° / 27°
13 wet
Feb
48° / 28°
12 wet
Mar
53° / 31°
13 wet
Apr
59° / 34°
11 wet
May
68° / 40°
9 wet
Jun
76° / 46°
5 wet
Jul
85° / 51°
2 wet
Aug
84° / 49°
2 wet
Sep
78° / 44°
3 wet
Oct
64° / 38°
6 wet
Nov
50° / 31°
11 wet
Dec
43° / 27°
13 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mt Shasta, CA, 10.5 mi away at 3,613 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

The Grotto is a climbing area in California's Castle Crags Wilderness, within the Mt. Shasta Ranger District of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits among several other climbing and hiking destinations, including Castle Crags and Six Toe Rock, both about 0.1 mile away. The climbing here is all trad, with one sport route, and the grades run from 5.11a to 5.11d. Five routes are listed, including "Aliens are my friends" and "Gland Entry" at 5.11a, and "Hanuman" at 5.11d. The sport route, "Hanuman," was first climbed by Ian Katz. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mt. Shasta show July highs around 85°F with only about two wet days, while winter brings highs in the low 40s and roughly 13 wet days a month. That station sits about 800 feet lower than the Grotto, so temperatures at the crag run cooler. Castle Dome and Root Creek Trail are both within half a mile for a hike. Castle Lake Campground is about 5 miles away.