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Elevation: 6,765 ft
GPS: 38.95299, -120.11468
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 68,297 total · 262/month
Shared By: Aron Quiter on Oct 8, 2002 · Updates
Admins: Aron Quiter, Lurk Er, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes

Description Suggest change

Mayhem Cove features some of the best sport climbing in the Tahoe area, ranging in difficulty from 5.9 to low-end 5.13 on vertical to overhanging, heavily-featured granite. The access is easy (as long as you can find parking) and there are excellent views of Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe.

Spring to fall is the best time to climb here, although you'll want to time your visit around whether you are chasing sun (colder seasons) or shade (summer). The right side faces east and goes into the shade around noon, while the left side has a more southeasterly aspect and goes into the shade around 2 PM. 

Most routes are equipped with mussy hooks or other lower-off hardware, there are often perma-draws on harder routes (or harder sections of routes), and the climbs are generally well-bolted. True sport climbing!

Getting There Suggest change

Mayhem Cove can be seen from the parking lot several hundred yards distant by looking in the foreground to the northwest. Approach time: 10 minutes.

From the parking lot, instead of heading up the main path to Desolation Wilderness, go right into the pine trees (left of the bathroom). Head uphill on a faint trail then take a right on an old road. After about 50 yards, look for a trail on the left that goes uphill. Follow for a couple of minutes, then scramble through talus to the base of Mayhem Cove.

42 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Mayhem Cove

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 95
Car Jacker
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 9
Delivering the Goods
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 84
Diamond
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 80
Cubic Zarconia
Sport
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 37
Ruby Ridge
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 41
Skullduggery
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 66
DWI
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 12
A Florida Man...
Sport
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 19
Temporary Insanity
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 22
Overkill
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 4
Pedal To The Mettle
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 61
Huntin' Gator
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 22
Psycho II
Sport
5.12+ 7c 28 IX 27 E6 6b
 8
Drinkin' White Lightning
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 17
Cajun Hell
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Car Jacker Left Side
 95
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Delivering the Goods Right Side
 9
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Diamond Right Side
 84
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Cubic Zarconia Right Side
 80
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Ruby Ridge Right Side
 37
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Sport
Skullduggery Right Side
 41
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
DWI Left Side
 66
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
A Florida Man... Right Side
 12
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Temporary Insanity Left Side
 19
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Overkill Left Side
 22
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Pedal To The Mettle Right Side - Upper Tier
 4
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Huntin' Gator Right Side
 61
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Psycho II Right Side
 22
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Drinkin' White Lightning Right Side
 8
5.12+ 7c 28 IX 27 E6 6b Sport
Cajun Hell Right Side
 17
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
More Classic Climbs in Mayhem Cove »

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