California · Rock climbing · Mesa Camp

Powerhouse Wall

Powerhouse Wall is a California climbing area with 6 sport routes.

Photo: GSEC, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

6 routes

5.8 – 5.11d

Sport

Best time to visit Powerhouse 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.

Jan
56° / 24°
4 wet
Feb
59° / 26°
4 wet
Mar
67° / 31°
3 wet
Apr
74° / 37°
2 wet
May
83° / 44°
2 wet
Jun
94° / 51°
1 wet
Jul
100° / 57°
1 wet
Aug
98° / 54°
1 wet
Sep
90° / 47°
1 wet
Oct
78° / 37°
1 wet
Nov
64° / 27°
2 wet
Dec
55° / 22°
3 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bishop Ap, CA, 15 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.

Powerhouse Wall is a climbing area on city land in California, sitting among a cluster of other climbing spots. Penstock Rock and Alien Wall both lie about 0.1 mile away, so the wall makes an easy addition to a day spent exploring the surrounding crags. The climbing here is all sport, with six routes ranging from 5.8 to 5.11d. The easiest is Alex Rocks at 5.8, and the hardest is One Sock Bandit at 5.11d. Valley 5.8 and If I Told You I'd Have to Kill You sit in the 5.10a to 5.11a range. 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 about 1,150 feet lower than the wall, so temperatures on the wall run cooler. Lower Rock Creek Trail, Section 3, is about 1.9 miles away, and Lower Rock Creek offers canoeing about 2.7 miles off. Sand Canyon, a mountain biking area, is about 4.1 miles away, and Tuff Campground is about 6.4 miles away.