California · Rock climbing · Blue Lake

South Face

South Face in California has 6 sport climbing routes ranging across 5 difficulty grades.

6 routes
5.8- – 5.10c
Sport

Best time to visit South 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

    56° / 41°

    18 wet

  2. Feb

    57° / 41°

    17 wet

  3. Mar

    57° / 41°

    18 wet

  4. Apr

    58° / 43°

    14 wet

  5. May

    60° / 46°

    11 wet

  6. Jun

    62° / 49°

    7 wet

  7. Jul

    63° / 51°

    5 wet

  8. Aug

    65° / 51°

    6 wet

  9. Sep

    65° / 49°

    9 wet

  10. Oct

    63° / 45°

    12 wet

  11. Nov

    59° / 42°

    17 wet

  12. Dec

    56° / 40°

    19 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Arcata Eureka Ap, CA, 16.8 mi away at 200 ft. The station sits about 1,500 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.

South Face is a climbing area in California, about 4.6 miles from the town of Fernwood. It sits right next to Chezem Cliffs, which is just 0.1 mile away, and the two areas make a natural pairing for a day of sport climbing. The climbing here is all sport, with six routes spread across a range of grades from 5.8- to 5.10c. The easiest is Vultures Feather at 5.8-, and the hardest is Black Streak at 5.10c. All the routes were first ascended by Cadence Brown and Adam Brown on July 4, 2018. Summer is the most comfortable time to climb. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 63 to 65°F with only five to six wet days a month, while winter brings highs in the mid-50s and rain on 17 to 19 days a month. That station sits about 1,450 feet lower than the area, so temperatures on the face run cooler. Other options within a few miles include Three Creeks for canoeing, Ladders Trail and Lacks Mountain Trail for hiking, and East Fork campground for an overnight stay.

Routes (6)