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: 8,000 ft 2,438 m
GPS: 38.9308, -120.11112
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 41,385 total · 360/month
Shared By: Vlad S on May 27, 2015 · Updates
Admins: Aron Quiter, Lurk Er, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes

Description Suggest change

The beautifully striped Cascade Cliff is a Tahoe gem that sits close to the top of Maggies Peak South.  Also known as the Zebra Wall, this cliff has very pretty water streaks running through the middle, but that's only a portion of the wall. The route selection is fairly limited, but the rock quality, breathtaking views of Cascade Lake and Lake Tahoe, isolation, and serenity of this place more than make up for it. The climbing is on solid granite. Most routes are fully bolted, but several of them take gear as well, so bring a rack if you are planning to get on those. Tree Beard is not to be missed - bring a shoulder-length runner or two! The wall is in the shade from 1 pm in the summer, "Rasputin" the easiest of the three warm-ups gets shade even earlier as it faces east. A 70 m rope will be sufficient for most of the routes, although an 80 m could be used for a few. This crag has been a locals' secret for over 20 years. A large chunk of development was done by visionary Nils Davis around 2000.

Treat this place with respect and pack out all your trash! Most importantly, don't destroy any vegetation! This cliff is located in a pristine setting in the wilderness. Power drills are illegal here.

Farthest route on the right is All the Kings Men - mixed gear and bolts. Originally rated 12b but may be 12+ Nils Davis 1999.

Getting There Suggest change

Park near the bayview campgroud/vista at the Emerald bay (just south of Mayhem cove/Eagle Lake parking). Approach takes 45-60 min depending on how lost you get. It can be tricky to find the trail even though the wall is in plain view on the approach, so it's a good idea to go with someone who's been there before.

Start on the Bay View trail from the back of the campground going towards the cascade. 15-20 min on the wide tourist trail will get you close to the cascade at which point it's possible to continue straight on use trail and over slabs for another 1-2 minutes. Once you can see the creek on your left the trail will follow into the dense forest that turns into a mosquito-infested marsh. Don't go there. Instead veer off slightly right (over low angle slabs) onto another decent trail that bypasses most of the marsh. By this point the wall will be visible ahead on the right. Once most of the way through the forest, you'll walk over some branches that were placed on the wet part of the trail. Shortly after that look for a very faint trail branching off to the right aiming for the talus field. Finding this is the crux of the approach. After a very short walk though the bushes scramble up the talus field, then go left following larger trees and cairns. If you stay on the path it will take you to the slabs that will lead to the right side of the wall. If you get lost after the talus field, try following the LARGEST trees there. There are also lots of cairns.

13 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Cascade Cliff Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Cascade Cliff

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 16
Rasputin
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 21
Juniper
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 6
Longshanks
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 28
Tree Beard
Sport
5.14a 8b+ 32 X+ 32 E8 7a
 4
Weekend At Bernie's
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Rasputin
 16
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Juniper
 21
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Longshanks
 6
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Tree Beard
 28
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Weekend At Bernie's
 4
5.14a 8b+ 32 X+ 32 E8 7a Sport
More Classic Climbs in Cascade Cliff »

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