All Locations > California > Eastern Sierra > Mammoth Lakes Area > Lake George

Horseshoe Piles Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in Horseshoe Piles

Dog Wall 3 / 3 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 8 / 8

Spring Wall 4 / 9 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 13 / 13

Storm Crag 0 / 4 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 4 / 4

Stream Wall 1 / 10 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 11 / 11

Wavy Gravy Wall 2 / 7 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 9 / 9

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Elevation:	9,200 ft	2,804 m
GPS:	37.603, -119.0186 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	62,218 total · 286/month
Shared By:	C Miller on Jan 24, 2007
Admins:	Aron Quiter, Euan Cameron, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

This is a small grouping of 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.

45 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Horseshoe Piles

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 34 ● Vernal Rain Sport, Alpine Wavy Gravy Wall
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 73 ● Cleaning Lady Sport, Alpine Spring Wall
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 42 ● Autumn Storm Sport, Alpine Wavy Gravy Wall
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 33 ● Population Explosion Sport, Alpine Wavy Gravy Wall
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b 57 ● Fall Harvest Sport, Alpine Spring Wall
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 44 ● Reallyfivenineplus Sport, Alpine Spring Wall
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 41 ● Graupel with This Sport, Alpine Wavy Gravy Wall
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 24 ● Edge of Freedom Sport, Alpine Spring Wall
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b 21 ● Tiger's Eye Sport, Alpine Spring Wall
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c 53 ● D.D.D. Sport, Alpine Spring Wall
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c 17 ● Giving Tree Sport, Alpine Wavy Gravy Wall
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c 24 ● Full Yellow Jacket Sport, Alpine Spring Wall
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c 22 ● This is the Meaning of Life Sport, Alpine Stream Wall
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c 12 ● Delayed Labor Sport, Alpine Stream Wall
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a 11 ● All Work No Spray Sport, Alpine Stream Wall