Trad and Sport Climbing at the Grotto for Intermediate Climbers

Please Note: most climbs at the Grotto are 5.9 and above and must be lead to be top roped. Vlada and Simon will be able to set some top ropes but it will take some time and due to the difficulty of the routes, this is not a beginner friendly trip.

Come climb "The Grotto (https://www.mountainproject.com/v/the-grotto/105734135)" at Table Mountain Near Jamestown. Climbs at The Grotto begin in a deep hollow at the base of Table Mountain and rise up 50 ft tall basalt columns that end at an overhanging head wall.

https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/b/6/f/600_456635695.jpeg

Most routes are Trad, but a few sport routes are mixed in as well. On the opposite side of the hollow the Ort Wall (https://www.mountainproject.com/v/ort-wall/105734132) provides sport climbing opportunities. This is an excellent place to practice crack climbing skills on shorter routes. All routes must be lead before they can be top roped and grades start at 5.8.

Bring a helmet, (mandatory) a rack and a rope together with your harness, shoes and chalk bag. Lunch, snacks and water are also essentials.

To get there Take 108/120 from Oakdale towards Yosemite but continue straight on 108 where 120 turns right to Yosemite. When you reach Jamestown turn left onto Rawhide Road and continue for approximately 2.0 miles to Shell Road. Turn left onto Shell Road and continue for approximately 1.6 miles until you reach a gate across the road. Park on the side of the road nearby.

While it is possible for vehicles with good ground clearance to drive all the way to the trail head, the road is very rough and muddy and it makes more sense to hike the easy 0.9 miles from the gate at the end of Shell Road to the final parking lot and trail head. There are bathrooms at the trail head and the approach is about another 25 minutes from there.

and here are a few more links to give you some background.

http://www.climbfind.com/media/outdoor-climbing-usa/rock-wall/grotto
http://www.dreaminvertical.com/2010/04/spring-tune-up-at-the-grotto/
http://www.dreaminvertical.com/2009/10/the-awesomeness-that-is-columnar-basalt-climbing-at-the-grotto/
https://touchstoneclimbing.com/trip-report-table-mountain/
http://www.backcountry.com/explore/long-weekend-climbing-sonora-californias-gold-country