California · Rock climbing · Bishop

Gateway Slab

Gateway Slab in California has 6 climbing routes across 5 grades, offering sport and trad options.

6 routes
5.6 – 5.10-
Sport · Trad

Is Gateway Slab 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 Gateway Slab

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

    41° / 17°

  2. Feb

    41° / 18°

  3. Mar

    45° / 22°

  4. Apr

    51° / 27°

  5. May

    60° / 35°

  6. Jun

    70° / 42°

  7. Jul

    78° / 49°

  8. Aug

    77° / 47°

  9. Sep

    71° / 40°

  10. Oct

    61° / 30°

  11. Nov

    49° / 23°

  12. Dec

    41° / 17°

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mammoth Lakes Rs, CA, 24.1 mi away at 7,804 ft. The station sits about 700 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Gateway Slab is a climbing area in California's Inyo National Forest, within the White Mountain Ranger District and managed by the Forest Service. It sits among several other climbing destinations in the same corner, including the Failure Wall and Secret Cliffs, each about 0.1 mile away. The area has six climbing routes, a mix of sport and trad, with grades ranging from 5.6 to 5.10-. The routes are split evenly: four are sport climbs and two are trad. Among them are King Dirtbag, a 5.6 trad route with a first ascent by Alan Bartlett and Kim Walker in August 1913, and Queen of Spades, a sport route at 5.8+. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically July and August, when typical averages from a nearby weather station in Mammoth Lakes reach highs in the upper 70s and lows around 47 to 49°F. That station sits about 700 feet lower than the slab, so expect cooler temperatures at the climbing area itself. Pine Creek, a paddling spot, and Morgan Mine Road, a hike, are both within about 2 miles. For an overnight stay, Mosquito Flat Backpacker Campground lies roughly 5 miles away.

Routes (6)

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