California · Rock climbing · Mesa Camp

Penstock Rock

Penstock Rock in California has 6 sport climbing routes ranging from 5.10 to 5.12.

6 routes

5.9+ – 5.12b

Sport

Best time to visit Penstock Rock

Best months: April–May and 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
56° / 24°
4 wet
Feb
59° / 26°
4 wet
Mar
67° / 31°
3 wet
Apr
74° / 37°
2 wet
May
83° / 44°
2 wet
Jun
94° / 51°
1 wet
Jul
100° / 57°
1 wet
Aug
98° / 54°
1 wet
Sep
90° / 47°
1 wet
Oct
78° / 37°
1 wet
Nov
64° / 27°
2 wet
Dec
55° / 22°
3 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bishop Ap, CA, 15.1 mi away at 4,102 ft. The station sits about 1,100 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.

Penstock Rock is a city-managed climbing area in California, sitting on city land. It is a compact spot for sport climbers, with six routes all rated in the 5.9+ to 5.12 range. Two of the closest climbing areas, Powerhouse Wall and Alien Wall, are each about 0.1 mile away, so it is easy to pair this crag with them in a single outing. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Bishop run to highs around 74°F in April and 78°F in October, while July highs average about 100°F. That station sits roughly 1,140 feet lower than the crag, so temperatures here run cooler. The routes here are all sport, and the hardest is about 5.12. Castle Magic is the easiest at 5.9+, and D.W.P. and Funky Cole Patina are both 5.11c. Flashflood and Pumping Groundwater are 5.12b and 5.12a, respectively. Lower Rock Creek Trail, Section 3, is about 1.9 miles away, and Lower Rock Creek offers canoeing about 2.7 miles off. Sand Canyon, a mountain biking area, is about 4.1 miles away, and Tuff Campground is about 6.3 miles away.