California · Rock climbing · Julian

The Octagon Area

Octagon Area is a California climbing crag with 9 bouldering routes.

9 routes
V1+ – V9+
Bouldering

Best time to visit The Octagon Area

Best months: February–June and October–November. 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

    60° / 31°

    7 wet

  2. Feb

    61° / 32°

    8 wet

  3. Mar

    65° / 35°

    8 wet

  4. Apr

    69° / 38°

    5 wet

  5. May

    75° / 43°

    3 wet

  6. Jun

    85° / 46°

    1 wet

  7. Jul

    92° / 53°

    1 wet

  8. Aug

    93° / 54°

    1 wet

  9. Sep

    89° / 49°

    2 wet

  10. Oct

    79° / 40°

    3 wet

  11. Nov

    68° / 34°

    5 wet

  12. Dec

    60° / 30°

    7 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Henshaw Dam, CA, 25.2 mi away at 2,700 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

The Octagon Area is a bouldering area within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California, managed by State Park and Recreation. It sits in the park's southern reaches, with The Octagon South Face and The Octagon North Face each about 0.1 mile away, and Blair Valley Campground Area about 0.2 mile off. The climbing here is all bouldering, with nine routes spread across the area and grades ranging from V1+ to V9+. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Henshaw Dam show May highs around 75°F and October highs around 79°F, while July and August average in the low 90s. The routes include Trice at V1+ and The Dead Battery at V9+. Blair Valley Campground Area and the California Riding and Hiking Trail are both within a third of a mile. Blair Valley and Box Canyon lie a little farther out.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive