Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 4,973 ft 1,516 m
GPS: 37.70879, -119.66567
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 28,944 total · 151/month
Shared By: Alexey Zelditch on Oct 22, 2009 · Updates
Admins: Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes
Warning Access Issue: Latest updates on closures, permits, and regulations. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Most of the day in the shade. Consists from The Widow's Tears proper which is ice climbing area in some years in the winter and Tower of Cosmic Wind, which is about 300 yards right from The Widow's Tears. Tower of Cosmic Wind is on the Buttress which lead to Stanford point via Wind Chill. On this Tower located two stelar routes "Windjammer" and "Windfall".

Getting There Suggest change

For Tower of Cosmic Winds
April 2025: Take highway 41 from the Valley floor toward Tunnel View. A GPX file has been added to the map on this page, so consult that for where to park for the start of the approach. If you have any doubts, it’s best to drive up toward Tunnel View until you have a clear view of the Tower of Cosmic Winds. The approach to “Windfall” and others begins directly downhill from the Tower. We parked at a small dirt pulloff on the south side of the road, but many options exist. From the road, bushwack toward the wall for 500ft (~10 mins) until an old road is reached. From here, you can access a vague talus field directly downhill from the Tower. The talus begins several hundred feet west of the creek formed by Widow’s Tears. Follow this for ~30 minutes uphill. At times the talus will end and then begin again. We found several cairns along the way. This will lead you to the climber’s right side of the Tower, where you can then traverse a ledge leftward and scramble to the base of Windfall.

For Widow’s Tears Proper

Per Alexey: For The Widow's Tears proper you walk directly up and than follow the bed of the creek. It will bring you to the base where one rope is fix.

2019: To reach Widow’s Tears proper for rock climbs during that season, I’d recommend following description to The Tower of Cosmic Winds then keep traversing left. Some may want a rope for this. We never did, but one could die if it’s taken lightly.

7 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: R. The Widow's Tears Area Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at The Widow's Tears Area

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
WI5
 7
Widow's Tears
Ice 7 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 4
Windjammer
Trad 3 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 9
Windchill
Trad 13 pitches
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 11
Windfall
Trad 5 pitches
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 5
Riding on the Wind
Trad 10 pitches
5.12+ 7c 28 IX 27 E6 6b
 5
The Lurch
Trad 7 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Widow's Tears
 7
WI5 Ice 7 pitches
Windjammer
 4
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad 3 pitches
Windchill
 9
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad 13 pitches
Windfall
 11
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad 5 pitches
Riding on the Wind
 5
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Trad 10 pitches
The Lurch
 5
5.12+ 7c 28 IX 27 E6 6b Trad 7 pitches
More Classic Climbs in The Widow's Tears Area »

Sun & Shade Suggest change

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading