California · Rock climbing · Benton

The Alcove

Alcove, The in California has 16 climbing routes across 9 grades.

16 routes
5.7 – 5.11d
Sport · Trad

Is Alcove, The open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Inyo National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Inyo National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit The Alcove

Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

  1. Jan

    41° / 17°

  2. Feb

    41° / 18°

  3. Mar

    45° / 22°

  4. Apr

    51° / 27°

  5. May

    60° / 35°

  6. Jun

    70° / 42°

  7. Jul

    78° / 49°

  8. Aug

    77° / 47°

  9. Sep

    71° / 40°

  10. Oct

    61° / 30°

  11. Nov

    49° / 23°

  12. Dec

    41° / 17°

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mammoth Lakes Rs, CA, 10.1 mi away at 7,804 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

The Alcove is a climbing area in the Mono Lake Ranger District of Inyo National Forest, managed by the Forest Service in California. It sits among a cluster of other climbing spots, with Main Island, North Island and Stoned Wheat Thin Cliff all about 0.1 mile away. The routes here are mostly sport climbs, with one trad route, Lil' Squirt, at 5.7. The grade range runs from 5.7 up to 5.11d. Among the sport options, El Toro is the hardest at 5.11d, and Dr Jeckyll and Freakasaurus are at 5.10a and 5.10b. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 78°F with lows near 49°F, while winter highs stay around 41°F. The station sits at about the same elevation as the area. Big Springs Campground is about 3 miles away, and Glass Creek Campground is about 5 miles off. Hot Creek, roughly 9.5 miles away, offers canoeing.

Routes (16)