Rusty Nail Area
Rusty Nail Area in California has 10 climbing routes across 10 grades, offering sport and trad styles.
- 10 routes
- 5.7 – 5.12a/b
- Trad · Sport
Is Rusty Nail Area open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Sequoia National Forest. It doesn't name Rusty Nail Area, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).
Tule River Glass Container Prohibition Area
Agency closure covering Sequoia National Forest · Order 0513-26-02 · USFS · Sequoia National Forest
Trail of 100 Giants Boardwalk and Area Closure
Agency closure covering Sequoia National Forest · Order 0513-26-03 · USFS · Sequoia National Forest
Fire Restrictions - Sequoia National Forest
Agency alert covering Sequoia National Forest · Order 0513-00-26-07 · USFS · Sequoia National Forest
PUBLIC NUDITY PROHIBITION - Sequoia National Forest
Agency alert covering Sequoia National Forest · Order 0513-26-06 · USFS · Sequoia National Forest
Chico Flat Dispersed Camping Area Prohibition 26-27
Agency alert covering Sequoia National Forest · Order 0513-26-09 · USFS · Sequoia National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Sequoia National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Best time to visit Rusty Nail Area
Best months: February–May and October–November. 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
61° / 31°
7 wet
Feb
63° / 33°
7 wet
Mar
67° / 36°
7 wet
Apr
72° / 40°
4 wet
May
80° / 48°
2 wet
Jun
91° / 56°
1 wet
Jul
99° / 63°
1 wet
Aug
98° / 62°
1 wet
Sep
92° / 56°
1 wet
Oct
81° / 46°
2 wet
Nov
69° / 36°
3 wet
Dec
60° / 31°
6 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Kern River Ph 3, CA, 2.9 mi away at 2,703 ft. The station sits about 700 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.
Rusty Nail Area is a climbing area in the Kern River Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among several other climbing areas, including Nowhere Man, New Directions and Middle Cliff, all about 0.1 mile away. Chico Flat campground is about 0.3 mile off. The area has 10 routes, split evenly between sport and trad climbing, with grades ranging from 5.7 to 5.12a/b. Among the named routes are Boot Laeger, a 5.10d sport climb, and Stiff Upper Lip, a 5.12a/b sport route. Flying Camel is a 5.11a trad climb. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 80°F and October highs around 81°F, while July and August average near 99°F. That station sits about 668 feet lower than the area, so temperatures here run cooler.
Routes (10)
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