Ground Up Climbing Guides

05/31/2026

Summertime is upon us and the granite around Mammoth Lakes beckons.

05/13/2026

Towering above the lakes basin, Crystal Crag has become something of a rite of passage for climbers in Mammoth. From town, the jagged granite summit catches the evening light and pulls your eyes upward. Up close, it delivers one of the most memorable climbing adventures in the Eastern Sierra.

The climbing itself is never desperate. Most of the terrain is moderate, approachable, and well within reach for climbers looking to step beyond the crag and into real mountain adventure. But make no mistake — Crystal Crag feels wild. The route winds through exposed ledges, airy ridgelines, hidden corners of granite, and sweeping views over the Mammoth Lakes Basin. There’s route finding, changing weather, exposure, and that unmistakable feeling of leaving the ground behind in a meaningful way.

For many of our guides, Crystal Crag is more than just another climb. It’s one of our prized local adventures — the route we return to again and again with guests who want to experience what Sierra climbing is truly about.

This is not a gym climb moved outdoors. It’s an alpine experience close to home. The kind of day where your legs are tired at the end, your hands are dusty with granite, and the summit photo actually means something.

If you’ve been curious about stepping into multi-pitch climbing, building confidence in exposed terrain, or simply spending an unforgettable day high above Mammoth Lakes, Crystal Crag might be your mountain.

Join us this season and test your mettle on one of Mammoth’s finest local gems.

07/19/2025

Another awesome week of camping, climbing, lake swimming and hot springs with a stellar group of 12 kids. Summer camp fun time! The appreciation talk at the very end always gets me and shows me how much depth kids have. We are stoked for the next generation!!! .mollum

07/06/2025

Days like these are so much fun! Hit up Ground Up Guides for learn to lead, multi-pitch and self-rescue! Any dates you want, whatever cirriculum you want! We even have a great big-wall guy.

06/29/2025

We’ve been unlocking some potential. New grades were flashed, fears faced, and some good old group encouragement really created a fun environment today. Kids can do hard things.

06/27/2025

Another great day of climbing and camping with these kiddos. 5 days out and they can all belay, do their pre-climb checks, proper commands by day two! So neat to see the kids learn, grow and have fun! .mollum

06/24/2025

Always such a blast getting out with our kids groups. Plenty of day and overnight climbing camps to make some core memories!

12/04/2024

"Naught Bole"

This is the 'not bowl' warming my house.

11/27/2024

Abundance.

11/27/2024