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Island Lake Boulders

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

Getting There

From Sacramento take 80 east to the 20 and head west. Turn right on Bowman Lake Rd. and follow it until the signs for Carr and Feeley Lake point you in the right direction. Stay on this dirt road taking the path most traveled until you reach the parking lot which may have many cars in it due to the backpackers. The last 1/4 mi. of the road is a little rough but it's not too bad for cars if you drive slow. There is a parking area on the right as you come in to the rough section of the road and it's only a couple minutes to the trailhead. Hike past Feeley Lake a couple of miles to Island Lake. There will be boulders around you, now find the good ones! The entire drive from Hwy. 20 to the parking area is 30 min.

Description

Quality granite bouldering on glacial erratics at 7000'-8000' elevation spread out around the general area of Island Lake. Some crowds due to the popularity of the backpacking area however it's easy to find seclusion. Generally exposed and sunny but luckily a lot of the problems face north and there is swimming and fishing to pass the time when its too hot to crank. There is plenty of potential in this area guarded by a 2 mile approach. If you put up any problems here please post them up with the accurate locations of each boulder. Alternatively if anyone knows the history of this area please let me know the correct names and grades and I will be happy to correct any errors.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Awesome looking erratic. But in the land of illusions it's only 5' tall...
[Hide Photo] Awesome looking erratic. But in the land of illusions it's only 5' tall...
Feeley Lake in November.
[Hide Photo] Feeley Lake in November.
Here is a small topographic map of the area with some trails marked.
[Hide Photo] Here is a small topographic map of the area with some trails marked.
Little Island Lake Boulders a good place to chill! Sunshine boulder is on the right Plan B is on the left and Pinhead is in the background.
[Hide Photo] Little Island Lake Boulders a good place to chill! Sunshine boulder is on the right Plan B is on the left and Pinhead is in the background.
Island Lake. You can see the fire lookout on Grouse Ridge in the upper right hand corner of the pic.
[Hide Photo] Island Lake. You can see the fire lookout on Grouse Ridge in the upper right hand corner of the pic.
Matt Franklin pebble wrestling.
[Hide Photo] Matt Franklin pebble wrestling.