California · Rock climbing · Shaver Lake

Punk Rock (West Face)

Punk Rock (West Face) in California has 7 climbing routes with 5 difficulty grades.

7 routes
5.10a – 5.13a
Alpine

Is Punk Rock (West Face) open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sierra National Forest. It doesn't name Punk Rock (West Face), 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 (West Face)

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, 17.6 mi away at 7,020 ft. The station sits about 1,300 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 (West Face) is an alpine 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 Right Side of East Face and the Punk Rock area both about 0.1 mile away. The routes here are all alpine, and they range from 5.10a to 5.13a. Reach for the Sky is the easiest at 5.10a, and Train In Vain is the hardest at 5.13a. The Cobbler, at 5.10c, was first climbed by Sullivan, Brewer and Chambers in July 2009, and Yankee Doodle Dandy, at 5.12, was first climbed by Gary Sullivan, Laeger and Bob Paserini in June 2006. Summer is the most comfortable time to climb. Typical averages from the Huntington Lake weather station, about 17.6 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.

Routes (7)

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