California · Rock climbing · Swall Meadows

Failsafe Wall

Failsafe Wall in California has 7 climbing routes with sport and trad options.

7 routes
5.10b – 5.12b
Sport · Trad

Is Failsafe Wall open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Inyo National Forest.

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

Best time to visit Failsafe Wall

Best months: April–May and 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

    56° / 24°

    4 wet

  2. Feb

    59° / 26°

    4 wet

  3. Mar

    67° / 31°

    3 wet

  4. Apr

    74° / 37°

    2 wet

  5. May

    83° / 44°

    2 wet

  6. Jun

    94° / 51°

    1 wet

  7. Jul

    100° / 57°

    1 wet

  8. Aug

    98° / 54°

    1 wet

  9. Sep

    90° / 47°

    1 wet

  10. Oct

    78° / 37°

    1 wet

  11. Nov

    64° / 27°

    2 wet

  12. Dec

    55° / 22°

    3 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bishop Ap, CA, 16 mi away at 4,102 ft. The station sits about 1,600 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.

Failsafe Wall is a climbing area in the White Mountain Ranger District of Inyo National Forest in California, on city-managed land. Two other climbing areas, Sanitarium and Upper Elbow Room, sit about 0.1 mile away, so the wall pairs easily with those for a full day of bouldering or route climbing. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Bishop run highs around 74°F in April and 78°F in October, while July highs average 100°F. That station sits well below the wall, so expect temperatures up high to run cooler. Lower Rock Creek Trail, Section 3, starts about 2.6 miles away, and Lower Rock Creek offers canoeing at about 2.8 miles. Sand Canyon, a mountain biking area, is about 3.7 miles off, and Tuff Campground is roughly 5.5 miles away.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive