California · Rock climbing · Mesa Camp

Alien Wall

Alien Wall in California has 9 climbing routes across 4 grades.

Photo: GSEC, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

9 routes

5.9 – 5.12a

Sport · Trad

Best time to visit Alien Wall

Best months: April–May and October. 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.

Jan
56° / 24°
4 wet
Feb
59° / 26°
4 wet
Mar
67° / 31°
3 wet
Apr
74° / 37°
2 wet
May
83° / 44°
2 wet
Jun
94° / 51°
1 wet
Jul
100° / 57°
1 wet
Aug
98° / 54°
1 wet
Sep
90° / 47°
1 wet
Oct
78° / 37°
1 wet
Nov
64° / 27°
2 wet
Dec
55° / 22°
3 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bishop Ap, CA, 15.1 mi away at 4,102 ft. The station sits about 1,200 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Alien Wall is a climbing area on city land in California, sitting right beside the Banana Belt and Penstock Rock climbing areas, both about 0.1 mile away. The land is managed by the city, and the area is known for its sport climbing, with a few trad routes mixed in. The climbing here runs from about 5.9 to 5.12a on the YDS scale, with sport routes making up the bulk of the options. Humdinger and Positive Approach are both 5.9 sport routes, and Idol Maker is the hardest at 5.12a. Spare Change is the only trad route listed, at 5.10d. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Bishop show April highs around 74°F and October highs around 78°F, while July averages near 100°F. That station sits about 1,200 feet lower than the wall, so temperatures on the rock run cooler. Lower Rock Creek Trail, Section 3, is about 2 miles away, and Lower Rock Creek offers canoeing about 2.7 miles off. Sand Canyon, a mountain biking area, is about 4 miles away, and Tuff Campground is about 6 miles away.