California · Rock climbing · Shaver Lake

Cracks At The Dam Wall

5 routes at Cracks At The Dam Wall in California, grades span 4 levels with alpine no fixed protection.

5 routes
5.9 – 5.10d
Alpine

Is Cracks At The Dam Wall open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sierra National Forest. It doesn't name Cracks At The Dam Wall, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

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

Best time to visit Cracks At The Dam Wall

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

    43° / 24°

    11 wet

  2. Feb

    44° / 23°

    11 wet

  3. Mar

    46° / 26°

    10 wet

  4. Apr

    50° / 29°

    8 wet

  5. May

    56° / 36°

    6 wet

  6. Jun

    66° / 42°

    3 wet

  7. Jul

    74° / 49°

    2 wet

  8. Aug

    74° / 49°

    1 wet

  9. Sep

    68° / 44°

    2 wet

  10. Oct

    58° / 37°

    4 wet

  11. Nov

    49° / 31°

    8 wet

  12. Dec

    44° / 25°

    10 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Huntington Lake, CA, 17.2 mi away at 7,020 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.

Cracks At The Dam Wall is a climbing area in the High Sierra Ranger District of Sierra National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with Tiger Cage, Upper Tier and Tiger Wall both about 0.3 miles away. The area is an alpine climbing destination, with five routes all rated in the 5.9 to 5.10d range. The easiest is Gentle at 5.9, and the hardest is Bear at 5.10d. The median grade is 5.10c. Summer is the most comfortable time to climb. Typical averages from the Huntington Lake weather station, about 17 miles away, show July and August highs around 74°F with lows near 49°F and only one or two wet days a month. Winter is much colder, with January highs around 43°F and lows near 24°F. Nearby, the Frazier hike is about 1.8 miles away and Dinkey Lakes about 2.8 miles. For paddling, Helms Creek is about 3.5 miles off, and Buck Meadow campground is about 6.9 miles away.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive