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

The Emeralds Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in The Emeralds

Benches, The 108

Camo Crag 6

Emeralds Bouldering 78

Eyrie, The 9

Flume Face, The 1

Gorge, The 14

Oasis, The 11

Pebble Beach 8

Spaulding Campground 1

Steel Monkey Wall 14

Sun Bench, The 2

Explore this area in 3D

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:	4,500 ft	1,372 m
GPS:	39.31876, -120.65678 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	592,739 total · 2,155/month
Shared By:	Aron Quiter on Oct 7, 2002 · Updates
Admins:	Ky Bishop, Aron Quiter, Lurk Er, Colby Wangler, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes Page Updates (admin only)

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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 Emeralds is a once-quiet crag in a beautiful mountain setting, that has seen a large influx of climbers over the past decade due to a proliferation of new routes. Clipping bolts is the name of the game here, as crack features are few and far between.

The best seasons to climb at the Emeralds are spring and fall, due to a relatively low elevation compared to other crags in the Tahoe region. However, most of the walls have a northwesterly aspect, making it possible to climb here in morning shade during the summer. In winter, the crag is typically snowed-in.

The Emeralds are on a mix of PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric) and Tahoe National Forest land. Please respect all PG&E signs regarding dispersed camping, fires, etc. Do not block the PG&E gate at the beginning of the access road and do not camp in the parking area. PG&E is very aware of and typically very tolerant of rock climbers, please consider this when using their property or interacting with their employees.

Established campgrounds are available in the national forest along Bowman Lake Road and just upstream at PG&E's Lake Spaulding campground, among other spots.

Getting There

This page's location shows the usual parking area. Here are driving directions there:

* From I-80, exit onto Highway 20 and drive four miles toward Nevada City.

* After 3.5 miles, turn north onto Bowman Lake Road (forest service road 18) and drive for 1.3 miles. Have no fear, this section of the road is all paved.

* Just before the bridge that crosses the Yuba River, there is a dirt access road. It is now gated and locked, so park across the bridge, then continue on foot. Bathrooms have been installed at main parking area.

For an overview map of walking directions to the climbing areas, with GPS coordinates, see the Emeralds Guide page 1 thru 6 below in the Photos.

252 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at The Emeralds

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

V7 7A+ 5 ● The Scoop Boulder Emeralds Boulde… > Stress Manageme… > Scoop
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 120 ● Cast In Stone Sport 2 pitches Benches > Negativity Cave
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 379 ● Step Into The Light Sport Benches > Kudos Cliff > Kudos Left
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 175 ● Where's The Beef Sport Benches > Fast Food Wall
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c 214 ● Charlee And The Stick Factory Sport Benches > Fortress
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c 203 ● Super Size Me Sport Benches > Fast Food Wall
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c 49 ● Welcome To Thunderdome Sport Benches > Thunderdome
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a 93 ● In And Out Urge Sport Benches > Fast Food Wall
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a 156 ● Duppy Conqueror Sport Benches > Kudos Cliff > Kudos Left
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a 36 ● Twice Cooked Whopper Sport Benches > Fast Food Wall
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a 87 ● Radio Static Sport Steel Monkey Wall
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a 31 ● Fries With That Mantle Sport Benches > Fast Food Wall
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a 89 ● Steel Monkey Sport Steel Monkey Wall
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a 19 ● Toby Tops Out Sport Benches > Fortress
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b 18 ● Green Ice Sport Steel Monkey Wall