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Elevation: 9,028 ft 2,752 m
GPS: 37.60307, -119.01094
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 114,906 total · 2,008/month
Shared By: Euan Cameron on Aug 25, 2020
Admins: Aron Quiter, Euan Cameron, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes

Description Suggest change

The Lake George Recreation Area trailhead gives access to some of the best climbing in the Lakes Basin. Dike Wall and Horseshoe Piles have a great collection of single pitch sport climbs in the 5.8-5.12 range while Crystal Crag has climbs ranging from short sport routes to multi-pitch alpine excursions. In addition there are a number of newer sport areas that will keep you busy for some time.

All the climbs share quality granite with amazing views looking down on to the various lakes in the basin. The crags are easily accessed with approaches ranging from 20-50 minutes. Many of the crags have a northern aspect making them refreshing on hot summer days, but there are a few walls that face east for the cooler autumnal days.

Note, this area is popular in the summer and hence an early, or late, start is required if you want to find parking at the trailhead. If the parking area is full there are normally options along the side of the approaching road.

Getting There Suggest change

From the town of Mammoth Lakes head south west along Lake Mary Road. As the road winds up into the lakes basin look for a left turn at Pokonobe Marina. Follow this left turn through a campground and over a bridge. After crossing the bridge take a right and continue to the trailhead parking.

134 Total Climbs

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Location: Lake George Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Lake George

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 274
● North Arête
Trad, Alpine 4 pitches
Crystal Crag > N Arete
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 121
● North Arete (Left Start Variation)
Trad, Alpine 4 pitches
Crystal Crag > N Arete
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 72
● Springbank
Sport, Alpine
Crystal Crag > Highlands Wall
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 197
● Cromagnon
Sport, Alpine
Dike Wall > E Face
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 77
● Black Dihedral
Trad, Alpine
Dike Wall > E Face
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 120
● Black Lassie
Sport, Alpine
Dike Wall > E Face
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 53
● D.D.D.
Sport, Alpine
Horseshoe Piles > Spring Wall
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 84
● Black Leather
Sport, Alpine
Dike Wall > N Face
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 22
● This is the Meaning of Life
Sport, Alpine
Horseshoe Piles > Stream Wall
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 29
● Going Both Ways
Sport, Alpine
Dike Wall > N Face
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 25
● Box Lunch
Sport, Alpine
Dike Wall > N Face
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 39
● Strap-On Tools
Sport, Alpine
Dike Wall > N Face
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 32
● Secret Agent Man
Sport, Alpine
Dike Wall > E Face
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 7
● Anaerobia
Sport, Alpine
T J Lake > Anaerobia
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 19
● Lickety Split
Sport, Alpine
Dike Wall > E Face
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● North Arête Crystal Crag > N Arete
 274
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad, Alpine 4 pitches
● North Arete (Left Start Var… Crystal Crag > N Arete
 121
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad, Alpine 4 pitches
● Springbank Crystal Crag > Highlands Wall
 72
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport, Alpine
● Cromagnon Dike Wall > E Face
 197
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport, Alpine
● Black Dihedral Dike Wall > E Face
 77
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad, Alpine
● Black Lassie Dike Wall > E Face
 120
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport, Alpine
● D.D.D. Horseshoe Piles > Spring Wall
 53
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport, Alpine
● Black Leather Dike Wall > N Face
 84
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport, Alpine
● This is the Meaning of Life Horseshoe Piles > Stream Wall
 22
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport, Alpine
● Going Both Ways Dike Wall > N Face
 29
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport, Alpine
● Box Lunch Dike Wall > N Face
 25
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport, Alpine
● Strap-On Tools Dike Wall > N Face
 39
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport, Alpine
● Secret Agent Man Dike Wall > E Face
 32
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport, Alpine
● Anaerobia T J Lake > Anaerobia
 7
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport, Alpine
● Lickety Split Dike Wall > E Face
 19
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport, Alpine
More Classic Climbs in Lake George »

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