Fun crag for the 4th of July

My GF and I are currently in South Lake Tahoe and would like to figure out a place to spend a few days including the 4th of July before heading back to Boulder.

We generally prefer moderate multipitch trad (up to 5.9 or so), but we can also entertain ourselves climbing sport (up to mid-10s).

In terms of location, pretty much anything remotely between here and Boulder works. We're driving and are thus quite flexible. We have a truck camper and prefer to sleep in that. Walk-in camping is not out of the question, but definitely not ideal.

Bonus points for some semblance of cell coverage.

So yeah, given all the above, any recommendations on places to go with a cool 4th of July scene?

Thanks!

-Scot

Jackson

Lover's Leap sounds perfect for you. It is about an hour's drive, and has LOTS of classic multi-pitch trad lines below 5.9 or so. (I was looking for trad up to 5.8, and I felt spoiled for choice. Surrealistic Pillar to Corrugation Corner is a lovely link-up: 6 pitches of 5.7 trad.)

It is easily doable by day-tripping from Lake Tahoe (which is what I did when I was climbing there, staying in a motel in South Lake Tahoe), or I think there is camping right at the base. Or, there's a couple other places nearby where I remember seeing people guerrilla camping.

Also, the cliff is mostly north-facing, and the base is about 6000', so shouldn't be too hot in July.

The campsite at the base will likely be packed full. Camp down the road at Phantom Spires for free, next to the crag, and just distance to lovers leap if you want to climb there as well. The upper spire has Ginger BRead, a great moderate two pitch climb.

Arin wrote:The campsite at the base will likely be packed full. Camp down the road at Phantom Spires for free, next to the crag, and just distance to lovers leap if you want to climb there as well. The upper spire has Ginger BRead, a great moderate two pitch climb.

Right, the road to Phantom Spires was where I was thinking of for guerrilla camping. I just couldn't remember the name off-hand. A day or two of climbing at the spires is worth it, too. I found Gingerbread to be good climbing, but the fact that the flakes were so hollow made me just not trust my gear.

check out the Jungle in Utah... great camping high above the desert and you'll have the place to yourselves.

Thanks all! I'm actually already at Lover's Leap and just about to start the SP/CC linkup. This place is indeed incredible.

I don't think we're going to stay here until the 4th, though.

We were also at Jackson previously in this trip. The city is sick but it's a bit short on easy access cragging.

I'll look into the Jungle.

Anything else? Does Vedauwoo have a fun scene for the 4th?

Thanks again!

wfscot wrote:Thanks all! I'm actually already at Lover's Leap and just about to start the SP/CC linkup. This place is indeed incredible.

Enjoy the climbing!