California · Rock climbing · Twin Bridges

West Wall

West Wall in California has 23 climbing routes with 11 difficulty grades.

West WallPhoto: Justin.Johnsen, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
23 routes
5.7 – 5.12c
Trad · Sport

Is West Wall 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 West Wall

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, 10.2 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

West Wall is a climbing area in California's Eldorado National Forest, within the Placerville Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits among a cluster of climbing and hiking destinations, with Lover's Leap and Dear John Buttress both about 0.1 mile away and Climber's Descent Trail at a similar distance. The climbing here is traditional, with 21 trad routes and two sport routes among the 23 listed. Grades run from 5.7 up to 5.12c, and the hardest route is Main Vein at 5.12c. Craven Image, a 5.7, was first climbed by Royal Robbins and Steve Roper in 1969, and The Gamoke, a 5.10b, was first climbed by Richard Harrison and Jay Smith in 1977. 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 only about two wet days a month, while winter highs sit near 43°F with lows in the teens. Lovers Leap Campground and Lovers Leap Cg & Day Use are both about 0.3 mile away. Pyramid Peak Trail is about 0.6 mile off, and Strawberry Creek, a paddling spot, is about 2.7 miles away.

Routes (23)

The Last LaughFA: Richard Harrison, Jay Smith (1977)5.10Captain CoconutsFA: Paul Crawford, Richard Harrison and Nick Nordblum, 19825.10aHospital CornerFA: Harrion and Smith, 19775.10aBombs AwayFA: Paul Crawford, Jay Smith (1980)5.10bMagnum ForceFA: Greg Dexter, Jay Smith, 1977.5.10bThe GamokeFA: Richard Harrison and Jay Smith, 19775.10bVanishing PointFA: Gene Drake, Jim Orey, 1972. FAA: B. Todd & Rick Sumner & John Taylor 19755.10bArrowrootFA: Rick Sumner, Bill Todd (1975)5.10cThe JesterFA: Chad Suchoski (2011)5.10cThird Stone From The SunFA: Richard Harrison, Steve Miller, Jay Smith, 1977.5.10cAnesthesiaFA: Trey Corless, John Scott.5.11+NirvanaFA: Jay Smith, 19935.11+Main LineFA: Jay Smith, Bill Todd, 1976. FFA: John Bachar, Ron Kauk, 1978.5.11cMain VeinFA: Charlie Barrett5.12cCraven ImageFA: Royal Robbins, Steve Roper, 1969.5.7Dead Tree DirectFA: Bob Grow, John Harwood, 1971.5.7Lady Bug5.7West WallFA: K. Edsburg, A. McLane (1965)5.8April FoolsFA: Gene Drake, J. Hicks, 1971.5.9Crazy DazeFA: Jay Smith, Rick Sumner (1976)5.9The BananaFA: Richard Harrison & Jay Smith 19775.9The SlashFA: P. Berry, R. Linnett (1958)5.9Arctic BreezeFA: Mike Carville and Lon Harter,19955.9+

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