Corte Madera is a multi pitch back-country crag where routes are accessed from the base (approach of 1 to 1-1/2 hours), or rappelled into (approach of 3/4 to 1-1/4 hours). Approach times vary depending on the use of four-wheel or two-wheel drive vehicles to access separate trail-heads (a high-clearance vehicle with four wheel drive is recommended). Many climbs top out; rap-descents are required—unless you first hike to the bottom (via a separate approach trail), climb to the top, and hike back to your car via the ridge trail. Corte Madera is located within the Descanso District of the Cleveland National Forest.

Directions: From San Diego, take I-8 east, exit at Buckman Springs, turn right and head south. Turn right at Corral Canyon Road and go approximately 5 miles to the first parking area (for two-wheel drive low-clearance vehicles), located on your left at a hairpin left turn near the gated entrance to Heartland Ranch. Four wheel drive vehicles can continue to Corral Canyon, turning right at four corners toward the Los Pinos fire-lookout tower. Go past the turn off to the tower and head down hill through a Forest Service gate on a dirt road until you come to a large saddle. You can park here for both the base-trail and ridge-trail approaches (the two-wheel drive parking area trail also converges here).

Local Crag Information

 

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