California · Rock climbing · Pioneer

The Basement

7 bouldering routes at Basement in California

The BasementPhoto: sarahstierch, CC0 (via Flickr)
7 routes
V3 – V12
Bouldering

Is Basement, The open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 3 alerts for Eldorado National Forest.

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

Best time to visit The Basement

Best months: May–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.

  1. Jan

    36° / 23°

    9 wet

  2. Feb

    37° / 23°

    8 wet

  3. Mar

    42° / 26°

    7 wet

  4. Apr

    48° / 29°

    5 wet

  5. May

    56° / 35°

    4 wet

  6. Jun

    66° / 42°

    2 wet

  7. Jul

    75° / 49°

    2 wet

  8. Aug

    74° / 49°

    1 wet

  9. Sep

    67° / 44°

    2 wet

  10. Oct

    55° / 36°

    3 wet

  11. Nov

    43° / 28°

    5 wet

  12. Dec

    35° / 23°

    7 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dagget Pass, NV, 23.9 mi away at 7,334 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Closures we've recorded since August 2026

  • Fire Restrictions are in Effect Forest Wide

    Eldorado National Forest · Order dated September 22, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026, no lift recorded · Forest Service

The Basement is a bouldering area in California's Eldorado National Forest, within the Amador Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with The Freaks just 0.1 mile away and The Attic Boulder 0.3 mile off. The area is a bouldering destination rather than a route with a set length or climb. Seven boulder problems make up the crux, ranging from V3 to V12. The route named The Basement is a V3, and Midtown Brown is the hardest at V12. Jackfruits, a V9, was first climbed by Nate Bartley. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 75°F in July and August, with only about one or two wet days a month. Winter there brings highs in the mid-30s and lows near 23°F. The Silver Lake-Horse Canyon Trail starts 0.2 mile away, and Silver Lake Campground is 0.6 mile off. Caples Creek, a paddling spot, lies about 2 miles away.

Routes (7)

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