Machete Ridge
Machete Ridge in California has 4 sport and trad climbing routes on rock faces.
Photo: randomduck, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)- 4 routes
- 5.5 – 5.10c
- Sport · Trad
Is Machete Ridge 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 Machete Ridge
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.
Jan
63° / 34°
12 wet
Feb
64° / 36°
11 wet
Mar
68° / 38°
10 wet
Apr
72° / 39°
6 wet
May
80° / 43°
3 wet
Jun
89° / 47°
1 wet
Jul
96° / 50°
0 wet
Aug
96° / 50°
0 wet
Sep
92° / 48°
1 wet
Oct
82° / 43°
3 wet
Nov
70° / 37°
7 wet
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.
Machete Ridge is a climbing area in Pinnacles National Park, within the Hain Wilderness, on land managed by the National Park Service in California. It sits among several other climbing areas and trails, so it works well as a base for exploring the surrounding rock and paths. 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. That station sits roughly 460 feet lower than the ridge, so temperatures up high run cooler. A fee is charged for entry. The closest neighbors include the Main Face and Bad Man Mezzanine/Lower and Upper Terraces climbing areas, the Balconies Cliffs Trail and the Citadel Climber's Access Trail.
Routes (4)
North Face(1)
South Face(3)
Facts about this crag
Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive
Photo: randomduck, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Main Face
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