Woodfords Canyon  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  5,200' Lat, Long:  38.7653, -119.8463 Map Page Views:  47,436. Good page? (4 likes)    Administrators:  Aron Quiter, M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden Submitted By:  Milton Mugambe on Feb 17, 2009 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri 83° | 43° 66° | 39° 61° | 36° 59° | 30° 55° | 28°

Bill Price on Hillside Strangler. 1981
Photo by Bl...

Description 

Woodfords Canyon offers year-round climbing. The south-facing side of Highway 88 allows comfortable climbing conditions during the winter months. When the mercury climbs into the 40's in Reno, the temperatures at Woodford's can allow for surprisingly comfortable climbing, assuming there are clear skies and light winds. In summer, the shady walls lying on the south side create perfect conditions during the hotter summer months.
The area is relatively unknown, usually only receiving the attention of a few parties on weekends. The climbing is generally traditional and although there are routes up to four pitches in length, the majority of the climbs are a half rope long, with a 70m rope being extremely useful. The granite on the winter side is generally excellent with some areas of coarse rock. The summer areas have finer grained granite and less coarse rock but more dirt and munge; these climbs required extensive cleaning on their first ascents.
These climbs offer some of the purist crack climbing in the Tahoe area and is a great training area for Yosemite and the High Sierra.

Getting There 

Woodford's Canyon is located in Alpine Co., Ca. along Highway 88, 20 minutes from South Lake Tahoe. There are quite a few different parking areas and trail heads. Take Highway 50 west from South Lake Tahoe. Drive through the town of Meyers, go left on Highway 89 (south), drive several miles to the junction of Highways 88 and 89. Turn left onto Highway 88 (east), drive down the valley which follows the steep East Fork of the Carson River. Towards the bottom of the canyon the road becomes less steep and to the left is an obvious south facing treeless mountain side. The golden rock formations above the bushy slope is known as The Fortress. Park on the north-side of the road next to rotating road condition sign, where a small stream runs along the shoulder of the road. This parking area is on the left after passing Crystal Springs Campground. Pull a u-turn after passing over the bridge and park in front of the aforementioned road sign. Follow the well beaten trail that goes upstream (west) towards a tree covered rocky ridge. From the ridge follow a decent climber's trail that is marked by cairns through a line of trees that lead to the base or The Fortress. The wall lying directly above the approach trail is known as the Donnie G and can be identified by a prominent "stalactite". Allow 30-45 minutes for the approach.

The Classics

Featured Route For Woodfords Canyon

O.U.L.D. 5.10d  CA : Tahoe Vicinity : ... : 2nd Alcove

With a combination of thin, balancy crack climbing, featured slab and exposed knob pulling O.U.L.D. is a climb not to be missed. The fun, bolted 5.9 slab warms you up and leads to the shallow corner that makes for the crux of the climb. Utilizing small cams and wires (RP's helpful but not necessary) carefully work your way up the beautiful tips/finger crack to a rest. Shake out and continue straight up the finger crack past some small bushes. Move left to a left trending flake peppered with kno...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

Photos of Woodfords Canyon Slideshow

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BETA PHOTO: One Of These Days, 5.10c. Wow!	Working steep granite. Woodfords Canyon.	Al Dude bouldering on Mama Cat Boulder 1986. Photo...
S. Watson"s pictural of the Steeple Aka Aguille d...	East side of The Steeple	The Fortress
Lauren on the White Kong Boulder, near Markleevill...