California · Rock climbing · Markleeville

Wood Cutters Wall

Wood Cutters Wall in California has 5 climbing routes across 4 grades.

5 routes
5.8+ – 5.12-
Trad · Sport

Is Wood Cutters Wall open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Carson Ranger District. It doesn't name Wood Cutters Wall, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Carson Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Wood Cutters 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, 12.2 mi away at 6,314 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Wood Cutters Wall is a climbing area in the Carson Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing and camping spots, with Crystal Springs Canyon just 0.1 mile away and Crystal Springs Campground about 0.2 mile off. The area has five routes, four of which are trad and one sport. Grades run from 5.8+ to 5.12-, with the hardest being the sport route Dog Down Arete. The trad routes include Right Branch (5.8+), Left Branch (5.9) and THE MOHEL (5.10+), all first ascended in the 1980s and early 2000s. Summer is the most comfortable time to climb. 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. Nearby, the 4-Second Climbing Trail and The Steeple are both within a quarter mile. For an overnight stay, Crystal Springs Campground is close by, and Kit Carson Campground is about 2.7 miles away.

Routes (5)

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