Tick Marks at Castle Rock State Park, CA are weak

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EXISTING CONDITIONS Castle Rock State Park General Plan

ROCK CLIMBING AND THE PROTECTION OF SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES

A goal of park management is to provide opportunities for the visiting public to enjoy the
park. Another goal is to maintain or restore the qualities of natural features and
processes that visitors experience and enjoy. Because recreational pursuits impact
these qualities, the challenge becomes one of deciding how much change will be
allowed to occur, where, and what actions are needed to manage or mitigate it.
This are designated for climbing encompasses rock features, scenic vistas, and easy
trail access, which makes the Castle Rock Ridge one of the more popular destinations
for visitors to Castle Rock State Park. The presence of appealing climbing routes, the
growing interest in this sport, and the convenient location of this park to the Santa Clara
Valley has made rock climbing an integral part of planning and focus for the Castle
Rock Ridge area of the park. Rock climbing is one of the traditional uses of the park
occurring prior to the State’s acquisition, and several types and ability levels of climbing
are practiced. The unit issues special event permits for climbing instruction, and notice
is given that rock climbing is a “hazardous recreational activity,” as defined in

Government Code Section 831.7. Hikers, bird watchers, and others who are attracted
here by its natural beauty and opportunities for recreation are also frequent users of this
area.

The Department acknowledges these forms of recreation in the park, while at the same
time recognizing that resource values must be protected and preserved for the
enjoyment of present and future generations. However, impacts from climbing and
other forms of recreation, including soil compaction and erosion, moss removal from
scraped rock faces, ground vegetation removal, rock face exfoliation, disturbance to
wildlife, and bolting of rocks have resulted in a general decline in resource values. This
increase in climbing activity in the park has resulted in congested activity areas and has
caused users to pursue new climbs deeper into the interior of the park. Unauthorized
trails and rock bolting are appearing in areas previously undisturbed.
The Castle Rock Ridge area encompasses approximately 190 acres and is accessible
directly from the current main parking lot, Partridge Farm, and Saratoga Gap via the
Saratoga Gap and Ridge Trails. It is described as the Castle Rock Ridge Resource
Management Zone in Table 4 on page 58, and shown on the Resource Management
Zones, Map No. 5.
Rock climber

Geologic Features: Tafoni, Fossil Resources, and Associated Values

Castle Rock State Park is a popular destination for visitors because of its unique
geologic resources. Several sandstone outcrops of the Vaqueros and Butano
Formations in the park exhibit rare “tafoni” features. These differentially weathered
features, including caves, spheroidal masses referred to as “cannonballs,” and latticelike
structures on rock faces and walls termed “fretworks,” are often very fragile and can
be easily damaged.

Rock climbing on sandstone outcrops and boulders has become a popular form of
recreation in the park. However, impacts from this sport on rock features and
associated elements have resulted in a general decline in resource values. Impacts
include rock face exfoliation and tafone disturbance, moss removal from scraped rock
faces, soil compaction and erosion, ground vegetation removal, and disturbance to
wildlife. The Department acknowledges low impact climbing as a valid form of
recreation in the park, while at the same time recognizing that resource values must be
protected and preserved for the enjoyment of present and future generations.
Goal: Protect and preserve tafoni features, including caves, spheroid masses
called “cannonballs”, and lattice-work rock walls and faces. The fossil and
mineral record and specimens of Castle Rock State Park will also be
preserved.

Guidelines:

• Geological investigations will be performed on sandstone outcrops where
significant tafoni features are present in order to recommend and implement
appropriate measures for their preservation.

• Scientific investigation and analysis by various universities and museums should
be encouraged to broaden the knowledge of park resources. Private collection
and willful disturbance or dislodgment of the geological forms shall not be
allowed.

• In order to protect natural resource values, only low-impact recreational climbing
(defined below) will be allowed. A climbing management plan should be
developed that protects natural and cultural features, especially tafoni, and
includes mitigation for impacts resulting from climbing.

For purposes of this plan, low-impact rock climbing is defined as that form of rock
climbing that does not destroy or place into jeopardy of destruction the unique
tafoni features inherent in many rock outcrops. Low-impact climbing considers
the use of climbing equipment, including the appropriateness and possible use of
bolts, and prohibits the deliberate destruction of lichen, vegetation, soils, rock
surfaces, and/or rock art, including pictographs and petroglyphs, and prehistoric
rock shelter sites.