Trinity Arêtes & Arcata Coast
Arcata / Trinity region (Hwy 299, Humboldt County) · near Arcata / Weaverville · North Coast
Rock Climbing
At a glance
- Skill level
- advanced
- Grade range
- 5.9 to 5.13+ · Sport, bouldering, and coastal climbing
- Best season
- Spring, summer, fall · The Arêtes are shaded/north-facing (cold in fall) · Coastal areas mild year-round when dry
Permits and booking
- Permit
- Mostly national forest and public land — no climbing permit. Remote; check current access. Primitive camping available near many crags. Come self-sufficient — this is off-the-radar territory.
Worth knowing
- Good for a first timer
- No
Rock Climbing detail
- Nickname
- The Forgotten Coast's Limestone & Sea Cliffs
- Climb types
- sport · bouldering · trad
- Rock type
- Blue-gold limestone, sea-cliff greywacke, river-polished boulders
- Route count
- Dozens of crags across a little-known but rich NorCal region
- Signature routes
- The Trinity Arêtes limestone · Promontory & the Arcata sea cliffs
- First timer note
- This is remote, advanced climbing for self-sufficient travelers — the 'Forgotten Coast' of NorCal. The Trinity Arêtes' limestone and the Arcata coast's sea cliffs are hidden gems documented in the 'Redwood Burl' guidebook. Not a beginner or convenience destination, but a paradise for adventurous climbers.
- Intl tip
- Arcata and the Trinity corridor pair with the far-north redwoods (hiking guide), the Smith and Trinity rivers (rivers guide), and the Lost Coast. This is California's least-visited corner — combine climbing with redwood groves, wild beaches, and the quirky charm of Humboldt County. Bring the 'Redwood Burl' guide.
The guide
Northwest California's 'Forgotten Coast' hides one of the state's most surprising climbing regions — blue-gold limestone walls,…
In the Guidebook
Everything above is yours for free. The written guide to Trinity Arêtes & Arcata Coast — what it is actually like, and what we would tell a friend before they went — comes with the Guidebook.
Getting there
- Coordinates
- 40.866, -123.642