California · Rock climbing · Big Bear City

Pinnacles South

Pinnacles South in California has 10 climbing routes with mixed, sport, and trad styles.

10 routes
5.2 – 5.10d
Trad · Sport · Mixed

Is Pinnacles South open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Mountaintop Ranger District. It doesn't name Pinnacles South, 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 Pinnacles South

Best months: May–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

    46° / 24°

    6 wet

  2. Feb

    46° / 24°

    6 wet

  3. Mar

    51° / 27°

    6 wet

  4. Apr

    57° / 31°

    4 wet

  5. May

    66° / 37°

    2 wet

  6. Jun

    75° / 43°

    1 wet

  7. Jul

    80° / 50°

    2 wet

  8. Aug

    79° / 49°

    3 wet

  9. Sep

    73° / 44°

    2 wet

  10. Oct

    63° / 35°

    2 wet

  11. Nov

    53° / 28°

    3 wet

  12. Dec

    46° / 24°

    6 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Big Bear Lake, CA, 4.7 mi away at 6,753 ft. The station sits about 600 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.

Pinnacles South is a climbing area in the Mountaintop Ranger District of San Bernardino National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among several other climbing spots in the district, including Camp Boulders and Uncle Jamie Boulder, both about 0.2 miles away. The area offers a range of routes from trad to mixed, with 10 climbing routes on record. The grades run from 5.2 up to 5.10d, with the median at 5.8. Trad routes dominate, with two sport routes and one mixed, Short Stack. Summer is the most comfortable time to climb. Typical averages from the Big Bear Lake weather station, about 4.7 miles away, put July highs near 80°F with lows around 50°F. Winter brings highs in the mid-40s and lows in the mid-20s. The station sits about 620 feet lower than the area, so temperatures here run a little cooler. Nearby options include the Van Dusen Canyon Spur hike, about 1.2 miles away, and Tanglewood Group Camp, about 1.3 miles away. Big Bear Lake Recreation Area, about 3.1 miles away, offers lake fishing.

Routes (10)

Rear View Mirror Crag (aka Roadside Attraction)(2)

Cracked Mirror5.2Rear View Mirror Crack5.8