California · Rock climbing · Strawberry

The Box

Box, The is a California climbing crag with 7 routes.

7 routes
5.6 – 5.12b
Trad · Sport

Is Box, 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 Box

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, 10.6 mi away at 6,314 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 Box is a climbing area in the Placerville Ranger District of Eldorado National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, campgrounds and trails, with Lovers Leap Campground and the Lover's Leap climbing area both about 0.3 miles away. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at South Lake Tahoe show July and August highs around 80°F with only about two wet days a month, while winter highs sit in the low 40s. Lovers Leap Campground and Lovers Leap Cg & Day Use are both about 0.3 miles away, and the Climber's Descent Trail is about 0.4 miles off. For paddling, Strawberry Creek is about 2.6 miles away.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive