California · Rock climbing · Paicines

Lower Flumes Formation

Lower Flumes Formation in California has 10 sport climbing routes across 4 grades.

Lower Flumes FormationPhoto: Vadim Manuylov, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
10 routes
5.6 – 5.10a
Sport

Is Lower Flumes Formation open right now?

Alert in the area

The National Park Service lists an alert for Pinnacles National Park.

  • Fire Danger HIGH

    Park alert covering Pinnacles National Park · NPS · Pinnacles National Park

As of · Source: NPS · Pinnacles National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Lower Flumes Formation

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

    63° / 34°

    12 wet

  2. Feb

    64° / 36°

    11 wet

  3. Mar

    68° / 38°

    10 wet

  4. Apr

    72° / 39°

    6 wet

  5. May

    80° / 43°

    3 wet

  6. Jun

    89° / 47°

    1 wet

  7. Jul

    96° / 50°

    0 wet

  8. Aug

    96° / 50°

    0 wet

  9. Sep

    92° / 48°

    1 wet

  10. Oct

    82° / 43°

    3 wet

  11. Nov

    70° / 37°

    7 wet

  12. Dec

    62° / 33°

    11 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Pinnacles Nm, CA, 1.6 mi away at 1,307 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Lower Flumes Formation is a climbing area in Pinnacles National Park in California, managed by the National Park Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots and trails, with the Upper Flumes Formation, Bad Man Mezzanine/Lower and Upper Terraces and Main Face all about 0.1 mile away. A fee is charged for park use. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 80°F and October highs around 82°F, while July and August average about 96°F. The area has 10 sport routes, with grades ranging from 5.6 to 5.10a. Among them are Lichen to Lead at 5.6, Tilting Terrace at 5.8, and Nipples and Knobs at 5.10a.

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