California · Rock climbing · Mesa Camp

High Tension Towers

13-route climbing area in California with sport and trad options.

13 routes
5.6 – 5.11a
Sport · Trad

Best time to visit High Tension Towers

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, 15.1 mi away at 4,102 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.

High Tension Towers is a climbing area on city land in California, about 0.1 mile from Riverside Island and Pub Wall. The two climbing areas sit right next to each other, making it easy to pair them on a single visit. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. 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 about 1,150 feet lower than the towers, so temperatures here run cooler. Lower Rock Creek Trail, Section 3, is about 1.9 miles away, and Lower Rock Creek offers canoeing about 2.6 miles off. Sand Canyon, a mountain biking area, is about 4 miles away, and Tuff Campground is about 6.3 miles away for an overnight stay.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive