California · Rock climbing · South Lake Tahoe

Cascade Cliff

Cascade Cliff in California has 14 climbing routes across 10 grades, offering sport and trad options.

14 routes
5.10d – 5.14b
Sport · Trad

Is Cascade Cliff open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. It doesn't name Cascade Cliff, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Cascade Cliff

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, 12.3 mi away at 7,334 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Cascade Cliff is a climbing area in the Desolation Wilderness, part of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit in California. The land is managed by the Forest Service, and the area lies within designated wilderness. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 75°F with lows near 49°F, and June and August run close behind. Winters are cold, with January highs in the mid-30s. The Azure Lake trail starts about half a mile away, and the Eagle Lake Cliff and Whiskey Cliff / Eagle Creek Cliff climbing areas are both within a mile. Bayview Campground, about a mile and a quarter off, is the nearest place to camp.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

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