California · Rock climbing · Twin Bridges

East Wall

East Wall in California has 33 climbing routes across 16 grades, offering mixed, sport, and trad styles.

East WallPhoto: jfdervin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
33 routes
5.6 – 5.11a/b
Trad · Mixed · Sport

Is East Wall 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 East Wall

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, 9.9 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

East Wall is a climbing area in the Placerville Ranger District of Eldorado National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. It sits within a cluster of climbing areas, with Central Wall about 0.1 mile away and Main Wall about 0.2 mile away, so it pairs naturally with those routes for a full day of climbing. The area holds 33 routes, mostly traditional. The grades run from 5.6 to 5.11+, with 5.9+ as the median. Among the named routes are East Wall (5.6), Scimitar (5.9), and Showtime (5.11+), and the climbing here is best suited to those who enjoy traditional and mixed styles. Summer is the most comfortable time to climb. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at South Lake Tahoe show July and August highs around 80°F with only two wet days a month, while winter highs sit near 43°F with lows around 18°F. Climber's Descent Trail and Pyramid Peak Trail are close by for a hike, and Lovers Leap Campground is about half a mile away for an overnight stay.

Routes (33)

East Wall Arete5.10Flying CircusFA: Steve Miller, Karl Jenkewitz, Jay Smith (1982)5.10A Few Dollars More.FA: John Bowlin, John Hoffman, Victor Marcus, Jim Orey (1977)5.10+Between the LinesFA: Rick Sumner, Steve Miller (1981)5.10aFlying Circus/ Fireworks comboFA: Steve Miller, Greg Dexter, Jay Smaith, Karl Jenkewitz5.10aPsychedelic DirectFA: Mike Creel, Chris Craig (1990)5.10aUnnamed5.10aEast Corner Arete5.10bLabor of Love5.10bPigs on the WingFA: Jay Smith, Rick Sumner5.10b/cThe Last SandwichFA: Steve Miller, Will Cottrell (1984)5.10b/cEnd of the LineFA: Jay Smith, Carl McConachie, Paul Crawford (1984)5.10cEasier Said than DoneFA: Richard Harrison, Jay Smith (1981)5.10dOut to LungeFA: Steve Miller (1978)5.10dShowtimeFA: Jay Smith (1990)5.11+East CornerFA: TM Herber, Bob Kamps 19695.11a/bEast WallFA: Ken Edsburg, Mike Edsburg, J, Sublette (1964)5.6Bear's ReachFA: Berry and Linnett, 19565.7Pop BottleFA: Gene Drake, Mark Haymond, Larry Morris5.7East CrackFA: TM Herbert, Gordon Webster, 19665.8HaystackFA: Ken Edsburg, TM Herbert, Jerry Sublette, 19655.8Preparation HFA: Mark Haymond, Jim Hicks, 19695.8Horn BlowerFA: Steve Miller, Greg Dexter (1976)5.8+FandangoFA: George Connor, David Babich, 19785.9FantasiaFA: Royal Robbins, Ken Wilson 19735.9Fear No EvilFA: Norm Booth and Jay Smith, 1979.5.9Ham Sandwich5.9Psychedelic TreeFA: Bruce Cooke & TM Herbert, 19685.9ScimitarFA: FFA: Jim Orey, F. Van Overbeck 19725.9The DeviateFA: Tom Higgins, Ben Borson (1968)5.9The LineFA: Herbert, Tompkins5.9Far East5.9-FireworksFA: Steve Miller, Greg Dexter (1976)5.9+

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