California · Rock climbing · Swall Meadows

Franklin's Tower

Franklin's Tower in California has 8 climbing routes with 6 difficulty grades.

8 routes
5.9+ – 5.13c
Sport · Trad

Is Franklin's Tower 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 Franklin's Tower

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.

Franklin's Tower is a climbing area in the White Mountain Ranger District of Inyo National Forest in California, on city-managed land. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with Sanitarium and Upper Elbow Room both about 0.1 mile away. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Bishop show April highs around 74°F and October highs around 78°F, while July averages near 100°F. That station sits well below the tower, so temperatures up high run cooler. Lower Rock Creek Trail, Section 3, is about 2.6 miles away, and Lower Rock Creek offers canoeing about 2.9 miles off. Tuff Campground and Holiday Campground are both within about 6 miles.

Routes (8)

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