California · Rock climbing · Shaver Lake

Punk Rock

Punk Rock in California offers 4 climbing routes with alpine no fixed protection.

4 routes
5.5 – 5.9-
Alpine

Is Punk Rock open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sierra National Forest. It doesn't name Punk Rock, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Sierra National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Punk Rock

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

    43° / 24°

    11 wet

  2. Feb

    44° / 23°

    11 wet

  3. Mar

    46° / 26°

    10 wet

  4. Apr

    50° / 29°

    8 wet

  5. May

    56° / 36°

    6 wet

  6. Jun

    66° / 42°

    3 wet

  7. Jul

    74° / 49°

    2 wet

  8. Aug

    74° / 49°

    1 wet

  9. Sep

    68° / 44°

    2 wet

  10. Oct

    58° / 37°

    4 wet

  11. Nov

    49° / 31°

    8 wet

  12. Dec

    44° / 25°

    10 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Huntington Lake, CA, 17.7 mi away at 7,020 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.

Punk Rock is a climbing area in the High Sierra Ranger District of Sierra National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with the West Face and the Right Side of the East Face both about 0.1 mile away. The area is an alpine climbing destination, with four routes all rated in the 5.5 to 5.9- range. The easiest is Smokin' Or What? at 5.5, and the hardest is Papa Bear at 5.9-. The other two are Baby Bear at 5.7+ and Mama Bear at 5.8. Summer is the most comfortable time to climb. Typical averages from the Huntington Lake weather station, about 18 miles away, show July and August highs around 74°F with lows near 49°F and only one or two wet days a month. Winter is much colder, with January highs around 43°F and lows near 24°F. Nearby, the Frazier hike is about 1.6 miles away and the Blackcap Trail about 2.5 miles. Helms Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 3.7 miles off, and Buck Meadow campground is about 7.6 miles away.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive