California · Rock climbing · Lake Arrowhead

Headhunter Valley

Headhunter Valley in California has 6 climbing routes with sport and trad options.

6 routes
5.0 – 5.10b
Trad · Sport

Is Headhunter Valley open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Mountaintop Ranger District. It doesn't name Headhunter Valley, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Mountaintop Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Headhunter Valley

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.

  1. Jan

    44° / 29°

    6 wet · 1 snow

  2. Feb

    45° / 30°

    6 wet · 1 snow

  3. Mar

    52° / 32°

    6 wet · 1 snow

  4. Apr

    60° / 36°

    4 wet · 1 snow

  5. May

    67° / 41°

    2 wet

  6. Jun

    76° / 49°

    1 wet

  7. Jul

    81° / 57°

    1 wet

  8. Aug

    82° / 57°

    1 wet

  9. Sep

    74° / 52°

    1 wet

  10. Oct

    63° / 43°

    2 wet

  11. Nov

    52° / 34°

    3 wet

  12. Dec

    43° / 29°

    5 wet · 1 snow

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lake Arrowhead, CA, 4.8 mi away at 5,205 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Headhunter Valley is a climbing area in the Mountaintop Ranger District of San Bernardino National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of named climbing spots, with Wild Man Pinnacle just 0.1 mile away and Bong (aka 2001) about half a mile off. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Lake Arrowhead weather station show May highs around 67°F and September highs around 74°F, with only a day or two of rain each month. Winter brings highs in the low 40s and a few snow days a month from December through March. Pinnacles and Metate are hikes within about a mile and a half. North Shore Campground and Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area are both within about 5 miles.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive