All Locations > California > Lake Tahoe > I-80 Corridor > Bowman/Emeralds > Emeralds > Gorge > Lower Gorge

Lower Main Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Lower Main

Unknown 13a S 5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c

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Elevation:	4,822 ft	1,470 m
GPS:	39.33114, -120.64399 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	846 total · 16/month
Shared By:	Luke EF on Sep 6, 2020
Admins:	Ky Bishop, Aron Quiter, Lurk Er, Colby Wangler, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: Flood Danger Details

WARNING! As the sign posted at the parking lot reminds you, this area is subject to sudden and severe flooding, especially in run off times (spring and winter). Most of the climbing routes in the gorge are in the potential flooding areas, as walls of the gorge sit below several LARGE floodgates from Lake Spaulding. These gates may open at any time, and as the sign in the parking area states, there may or may not be warning. Being in the gorge when the gates open would probably mean death, and being in the other climbing areas will mean that your exit is blocked until flood waters reside. Read all posted signs in the parking area, and also beware that these may not be updated.

Access Issue: No overnight camping on PG&E property Details

Noticed several tents while walking into the emeralds climbing area this last weekend ( 5/20/17 ). PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric) has posted several signs at the gate and other areas that state camping is NOT allowed. Please respect this so that access does not become an issue! Thanks in advance, Colby W.

Description

The impressive main wall of the lower gorge. The rock is highly featured and has some super steep sections. This wall is particularly prone to seepage, and the vast majority of the wall can likely can only be climbed in very late summer and fall, though a couple of routes closer to the middle of the wall were dry in mid-July.

The routes here are shady in the morning, but will be baking in the afternoon on a hot day. It would be best to make it out here early or wait for a crisp fall afternoon.

Horniak's guide splits this into "The Bulge" and "Lower Main," but it is really just one continuous wall and it would be difficult to distinguish between the two sections.