Horseshoe Piles  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  9,200' Lat, Long:  37.603, -119.0186 Map Page Views:  10,091. Good page?    Administrators:  Aron Quiter, Euan Cameron, Adam Winters, M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  C Miller on Jan 24, 2007 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

BETA PHOTO: Trailhead for the Crystal Crag tral.

Description 

This is a small grouping of four crags on the steep, wooded slopes above Horseshoe Lake (hence the name) with fabulous views of the surrounding area. Most of the climbs here are sport routes, with a few exceptions, on high quality alpine granite.

Due to the high elevation and northerly aspect of the crags the climbing season is fairly short and dependant upon the snowpack. Mid-summer to early fall is a sure bet with lighter snow years yielding more climbable months.

Routes here range in difficulty from 5.8 to 5.11c with the bulk of the routes being in the 5.10-5.11 range. Standouts here include D.D.D. (5.11a) on the Spring Crag and This Is The Meaning Of Life (5.11a) on the Stream Wall.

Getting There 

Park at the Lake George parking lot and start hiking on the Crystal Lake Trail. Hike uphill for several minutes until you reach some large water tanks and then leave the trail heading west. Cross over the ridgeline and then contour along the hillside following some metal pipes until you reach a stream. Head uphill where you'll see the Spring Crag. The approach takes 15-20 minutes if you hit it right.

There is a very good trail from the ridge to the stream. At the stream, look up and there is the Spring Crag. We missed it and ended up at the Wavy Gravy wall and had to backtrack to the Spring Crag.

The Classics

Featured Route For Horseshoe Piles

D.D.D. 5.11a  CA : Sierra Eastside : ... : Spring Wall

Easy but unprotected slab gains the first bolt about 25' up, after which two more bolts of face lead up and left (crux) into the dihedral which requires a deft blend of stemming and face climbing. The climbing eases near the top and concludes with a short section of perfect hands (2.5" piece optional). ...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

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BETA PHOTO: Turn right of the trail at these water tanks.

Mammoth Mountain from the Horseshoe Piles, Mammoth...