California · Rock climbing · Markleeville

Bandit Buttress

Bandit Buttress in California has 8 climbing routes across 6 grades.

8 routes
5.7 – 5.11-
Sport · Trad · Mixed

Is Bandit Buttress open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Carson Ranger District. It doesn't name Bandit Buttress, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Carson Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Bandit Buttress

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

    43° / 18°

    9 wet

  2. Feb

    43° / 19°

    9 wet

  3. Mar

    48° / 24°

    10 wet

  4. Apr

    53° / 28°

    8 wet

  5. May

    62° / 33°

    7 wet

  6. Jun

    72° / 38°

    3 wet

  7. Jul

    80° / 43°

    2 wet

  8. Aug

    80° / 41°

    2 wet

  9. Sep

    73° / 35°

    3 wet

  10. Oct

    62° / 29°

    5 wet

  11. Nov

    51° / 23°

    7 wet

  12. Dec

    43° / 18°

    10 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at South Lake Tahoe Ap, CA, 12.2 mi away at 6,314 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Bandit Buttress is a climbing area in California's Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, within the Carson Ranger District. It is managed by the Forest Service and sits right beside the Deadwood Wall and Deadwood Crags climbing areas, both about 0.1 mile away. The climbing here is mostly sport, with a few trad and mixed routes. Of the eight routes listed, the easiest is A Break In Security at 5.7, and the hardest is Smooth Criminal, a mixed route at 5.11-. Five Finger Discount is the only trad route, at 5.10-. The area also has a route called Horse Thief, a 5.8 sport climb. Summer is the most comfortable time to climb. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 80°F in July and August, with lows in the low 40s and only two or three wet days a month. Crystal Springs Campground is about 0.8 mile away, and the 4-Second Climbing Trail is about 0.9 mile away. The West Fork Carson River, about 2.7 miles off, offers paddling, and Kit Carson Campground is about 3.2 miles away.

Routes (8)

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