California · Rock climbing · Lake Arrowhead

Rotten Rock Valley

Rotten Rock Valley in California has 7 climbing routes across 5 grades, offering sport and trad options.

7 routes
5.9 – 5.11b
Sport · Trad

Is Rotten Rock Valley open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Mountaintop Ranger District. It doesn't name Rotten Rock Valley, 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 Rotten Rock Valley

Best months: April–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

    44° / 29°

    6 wet · 1 snow

  2. Feb

    45° / 30°

    6 wet · 1 snow

  3. Mar

    52° / 32°

    6 wet · 1 snow

  4. Apr

    60° / 36°

    4 wet · 1 snow

  5. May

    67° / 41°

    2 wet

  6. Jun

    76° / 49°

    1 wet

  7. Jul

    81° / 57°

    1 wet

  8. Aug

    82° / 57°

    1 wet

  9. Sep

    74° / 52°

    1 wet

  10. Oct

    63° / 43°

    2 wet

  11. Nov

    52° / 34°

    3 wet

  12. Dec

    43° / 29°

    5 wet · 1 snow

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lake Arrowhead, CA, 4.6 mi away at 5,205 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Rotten Rock Valley 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, with Barbarian Rock and Rock-It Wall each about 0.1 mile away. Summer is the warmest stretch for a visit. Typical averages from the nearby Lake Arrowhead weather station show July and August highs around 81 to 82°F with lows near 57°F, while winter brings highs in the low 40s and a few snowy days a month from December through March. Pinnacles and Metate are both hikes about a mile away. For an overnight stay, North Shore Campground is roughly 4.3 miles off, and Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area offers lake fishing at about 4.9 miles.

Routes (7)

Rustler Rock(1)

Outlaw Arete5.10b

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