California · Rock climbing · Inyokern

Indian Wells Canyon

Indian Wells Canyon has 7 climbing routes in California.

7 routes
5.5 – 5.9
Trad · Sport

Best time to visit Indian Wells Canyon

Best months: October–May. 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

    58° / 35°

    4 wet

  2. Feb

    61° / 37°

    4 wet

  3. Mar

    68° / 41°

    4 wet

  4. Apr

    75° / 46°

    2 wet

  5. May

    84° / 54°

    1 wet

  6. Jun

    95° / 62°

    0 wet

  7. Jul

    101° / 69°

    1 wet

  8. Aug

    100° / 68°

    1 wet

  9. Sep

    92° / 61°

    1 wet

  10. Oct

    80° / 52°

    1 wet

  11. Nov

    67° / 42°

    2 wet

  12. Dec

    57° / 34°

    3 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Randsburg, CA, 26.7 mi away at 3,570 ft. The station sits about 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.

Indian Wells Canyon is a climbing area in California's Owens Peak Wilderness, within the Bureau of Land Management's Ridgecrest Field Office. The BLM manages the land, and the canyon sits inside designated wilderness. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Randsburg show April highs around 75°F and October highs around 80°F, while July highs climb to about 101°F. The area has seven climbing routes, mostly traditional. The sport route The Middle is listed at 5.9, and Crack Me Up, a trad route, is at 5.7. The YDS grades run from 5.5 to 5.9, with the median at 5.7. Breakfast Crags, about 2 miles away, is another climbing area nearby. Within a few miles are the Short Canyon Trail and Sand Canyon Trails for hiking, and Walker Pass Campground is about 6 miles off.

Routes (7)

Rock II - North Face(1)

El Centro5.5

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