Blackwood Canyon Climbing

This digital Blackwood Canyon climbing guidebook gives you GPS navigation, verified topos, and beta for hundreds of climbs. Explore classics and hidden gems with offline access to maps, directions, and beta videos. Whether it's your first visit or fiftieth, KAYA makes your Blackwood Canyon days smoother, safer, and more dialed.

In the summer of 2014 a friend of mine said he found what looked like a possible new bouldering zone up in Blackwood Canyon and he told me I should check it out. I was a little sceptical because I knew the area mainly holds volcanic choss. I went for a look and was pleasantly surprised to find a cool little zone in a peaceful setting. The area is small and there is only enough climbing here to keep you busy for about a day. The problems are mostly easy to very moderate, but the rock quality is ultra clean, bulletproof granite. For the beginner to intermediate cli... Show more

This digital Blackwood Canyon climbing guidebook gives you GPS navigation, verified topos, and beta for hundreds of climbs. Explore classics and hidden gems with offline access to maps, directions, and beta videos. Whether it's your first visit or fiftieth, KAYA makes your Blackwood Canyon days smoother, safer, and more dialed. In the summer of 2014 a friend of mine said he found what looked like a possible new bouldering zone up in Blackwood Canyon and he told me I should check it out. I was a little sceptical because I knew the area mainly holds volcanic choss. I went for a look and was pleasantly surprised to find a cool little zone in a peaceful setting. The area is small and there is only enough climbing here to keep you busy for about a day. The problems are mostly easy to very moderate, but the rock quality is ultra clean, bulletproof granite. For the beginner to intermediate climber the bouldering is perfect. More experienced climbers will find a lack of hard problems, but still would enjoy themselves if they are looking to have a mellow day. Most of the boulders sit in the direct sun and shade is near impossible to find. On hot summer days I would go elsewhere or come here early in the morning or very late in the day. The dirt road on the way in is in good shape and driveable in a passenger car. No rattlesnakes have been spotted here yet, but I’m guessing they could be here. Finally, a perfect camp spot is right by the boulders if you wish to make an overnight trip out of it. DRIVING: From Tahoe City, drive east on Hwy 28 toward King’s Beach. After 1.5 miles you pass a 7-Eleven on the right, and in another 0.6 miles turn left on Old County Rd. Go uphill 0.8 miles until it dead-ends at the “T” intersection with Beverly Road and park at the dead-end. Please be low key in the parking area and do not disturb the residents. APPROACH: From the dead-end follow a major trail for about 50 yds then take a smaller, but well worn trail on your left which climbs a short, steep hill. From the top of the hill continue on the trail for a few minutes until it hits a paved bike path. Take a left on the paved bike path and walk about 50 yds and you will see the Crawford Boulder just off the road to your right. A few different trails cut off the path and lead to the Crawford Boulder. This is a great place to start.