California · Rock climbing · Markleeville

Woodfords Canyon

Woodfords Canyon in California has 3 climbing routes ranging from sport to trad.

3 routes
5.7 – 5.11b
Trad · Sport

Is Woodfords Canyon open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Carson Ranger District. It doesn't name Woodfords Canyon, 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 Woodfords Canyon

Best months: May–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.

  1. Jan

    36° / 23°

    9 wet

  2. Feb

    37° / 23°

    8 wet

  3. Mar

    42° / 26°

    7 wet

  4. Apr

    48° / 29°

    5 wet

  5. May

    56° / 35°

    4 wet

  6. Jun

    66° / 42°

    2 wet

  7. Jul

    75° / 49°

    2 wet

  8. Aug

    74° / 49°

    1 wet

  9. Sep

    67° / 44°

    2 wet

  10. Oct

    55° / 36°

    3 wet

  11. Nov

    43° / 28°

    5 wet

  12. Dec

    35° / 23°

    7 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dagget Pass, NV, 14.5 mi away at 7,334 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Woodfords Canyon is a climbing area in California's Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, within the Carson Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the canyon sits among several named climbing areas, including Wood Hood and Second Alcove, both within a few tenths of a mile. The climbing here draws on a mix of trad and sport styles. Three routes are listed, with Tangerine at 5.7 and LedZep Arrette at 5.11b. The grade range runs from about 5.7 up to 5.11b, with The Essence of Gelfling at 5.10a/b in between. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from the Dagget Pass weather station, about 14 miles away, show July highs near 75°F with lows around 49°F and only about one or two wet days a month. Winter there runs into the mid-20s for highs. Crystal Springs Campground is about 0.7 miles away, and Kit Carson Campground is about 2.1 miles off. The 4-Second Climbing Trail starts about 0.6 miles from the canyon, and the West Fork Carson River, a paddling route, lies about 3 miles away.

Routes (3)

Golden Eagle Buttress(1)

The Essence of Gelfling5.10a/b