Burst Rock Talus Field General Overview

The Burst Rock Talus Field holds maybe the most potential for hard bouldering on the Sonora Pass. This area has been scouted by a few boulders but due to its location has not seen many ascents.

The Talus Field sits at about 8,000' elevation and is a summer climbing spot. I was there when it was 100 degrees at Columbia and it was comfortable climbing (70's). The area is not climbable during the winter and snow stays around until June or July depending on the amount of snow that year. The roads close at the big snow so the window is only open in the middle of the summer.

The problems here vary from easy lowballs to possible double digit highballs. There is a lot of clean rock and a lot of potential for climbing.

The Burst Rock Bouldering consists of five sub areas. The Upper Talus, Lower Talus, Meadow Boulders, Entry Way Boulders, and the Hill Top Boulders. The Lower Talus Field holds the most potential for hard steep lines, while the Hill Top Boulders have the least amount of concentrated boulder problems but is the easiest to get to.

To find the talus field Drive about a half hour outside of Twain Harte, East on Hwy 108. After you pass the town of Cold Springs (the closest Gas, and Food) you will come upon Crab Tree Road on our right. Take this road for about 15 minuets. It will transfer from paved to gravel at a horse stable used for backpacking into the emigrant wilderness. Keep straight on this road (do not turn off) until you hit the Gianelli Trail Head. Park Here.

From here you have about a one mile hike to the boulder field. Follow the main trail into the emigrant wilderness until you hit a small wooden sign. Hang a left here and follow the climbing trail to the top of the cliff. If you look left you will see the wash that will lead you safely to the talus field. If you look right you will see the vast talus fields. Keep in mind even some of the smaller visible boulders are about the size of a small house.

Toss your pads down the wash and head down. Keep in mind you will want to save a bit of energy for the hike out the wash(its the hard part of the day).

That's the approach. From my house with me driving like a old man, I am a bit shy of 1 hour from the trail head to the boulder field. The hike down takes me about 15 minuets. Estimate your travel based upon a map quest trip to Twain Harte (95383)