California · Rock climbing · Twin Bridges

Troubled Waters Boulder

Troubled Waters Boulder in California has 11 bouldering routes across 7 grades.

Troubled Waters BoulderPhoto: ray_explores, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
11 routes
V0 – V6-7
Bouldering

Is Troubled Waters Boulder open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 3 alerts for Eldorado National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Eldorado National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Troubled Waters Boulder

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

    43° / 18°

    9 wet

  2. Feb

    43° / 19°

    9 wet

  3. Mar

    48° / 24°

    10 wet

  4. Apr

    53° / 28°

    8 wet

  5. May

    62° / 33°

    7 wet

  6. Jun

    72° / 38°

    3 wet

  7. Jul

    80° / 43°

    2 wet

  8. Aug

    80° / 41°

    2 wet

  9. Sep

    73° / 35°

    3 wet

  10. Oct

    62° / 29°

    5 wet

  11. Nov

    51° / 23°

    7 wet

  12. Dec

    43° / 18°

    10 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at South Lake Tahoe Ap, CA, 8.6 mi away at 6,314 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Closures we've recorded since August 2026

  • Fire Restrictions are in Effect Forest Wide

    Eldorado National Forest · Order dated September 22, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026, no lift recorded · Forest Service

Troubled Waters Boulder is a bouldering area in the Desolation Wilderness, part of the Placerville Ranger District of Eldorado National Forest in California. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits within designated wilderness. The climbing here is all bouldering, with 11 routes spread across the V0 to V6 range. The easiest are V0, and the hardest is the Troubled Waters Traverse at V6. Josh Lowy first climbed several of these routes on February 10, 2018. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at South Lake Tahoe show July and August highs around 80°F with lows in the low 40s and only about two wet days a month. Winter is much colder, with highs in the low 40s and lows near 18°F. Gemini Boulders is just 0.1 mile away, and Pyramid Trail and Mt. Ralston are both within a mile. Lovers Leap Campground is about 2 miles off.

Routes (11)

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