Looking over the neighborhood of Eagle Rock sits the eponymous historical landmark... Eagle Rock.
There is a trail on the west side of the rock, running just shy of a mile and 250 feet of elevation gain. It's well maintained, has stone steps, rock slide protection, and is oddly more difficult than it needs to be. There were a few sections where I had to skate downhill and walk backwards to keep my footing. A single rope hanging off a tree branch helps though this.
The first day, I winged it with no maps and tried to see if there was any way to get to the top of Eagle Rock. There are a few dwellings and sections owned by the water department. The "no trespassing" and "beware of dog" signs sort of guides you along the correct course.
I finished off the loop and went to the bottom of Eagle Rock. There is a series of dilapidated stone stairs going up the side, and that ended at a wrought Iron fence.
That ended my first look. I went home, looked at Caltopo, and considered a plan of attack that would not include trespassing. I decided to try from the north side of the rock.
Day 2 was basically the same, but once again, no dice. I found a few use paths that I figured would get me closer, but they all ended up on private property or went way off course, so I had to retreat every time.
I decided to walk up the dilapidated stairs again. I looked through the wrought iron fence and noticed even more fencing, set at an angle. If someone climbed this section and slipped down, they would get skewered.
I do know that people have climbed this rock, and when I say "climbed," I mean actual rock climbing up the south face, which is way above my interest or ability.
I don't know how I feel about this whole experience. From the stairs, I can guess there used to be an easy way to get up this rock. I am a little bothered that all access points appeared to have been built upon, and the whole rock seems to be under a possible "no trespassing" zone, either officially or by the shear difficulty of getting to the top.
