Meeks Bay Climbing

This digital Meeks Bay 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 Meeks Bay days smoother, safer, and more dialed.

Worth. Every. Step. That’s my first thought about the bouldering at Meeks Bay. All things considered—quality of rock, number of boulders, approach logistics and scenery—this area is probably the best backcountry spot in Tahoe. I almost hesitate to call it a backcountry spot because it’s really not that far out there. Many of the spots can easily be hit in a day. But if you want to spend several days in an epic setting doing some bouldering, a backpack trip out here is hard to beat. If you have the time, coming out here on a day trip and stashing some pads for your future overn... Show more

This digital Meeks Bay 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 Meeks Bay days smoother, safer, and more dialed. Worth. Every. Step. That’s my first thought about the bouldering at Meeks Bay. All things considered—quality of rock, number of boulders, approach logistics and scenery—this area is probably the best backcountry spot in Tahoe. I almost hesitate to call it a backcountry spot because it’s really not that far out there. Many of the spots can easily be hit in a day. But if you want to spend several days in an epic setting doing some bouldering, a backpack trip out here is hard to beat. If you have the time, coming out here on a day trip and stashing some pads for your future overnight trip is a good strategy. Then you can just roll in with you overnight gear, set up basecamp and do some great day trips from there. Crag Lake is the epicenter of the bouldering and it’s a really cool place to camp. Stoney Ridge Lake is a little further out and equally as beautiful. This area is in Desolation Wilderness and you need a permit for day and overnight trips. The day permits are available at the trailhead. They are very easy to use: fill it out and drop it in the box. Overnight permits cost and they are available online. Although it’s about 1.5 hours to Crag Lake, you do not need a 4WD to access this zone, so many without a truck will find this a bonus. A mountain bike is recommended and it will shave a well needed 20 minutes from the approach time, but it is by no means mandatory. Although many of the boulders and sub areas here are hidden in the forest, the beta and strategy is fairly simple. Either ride your bike or walk out the big meadow in Meeks Bay and find the very popular, well marked trailhead for the Tahoe/Yosemite Trail. Start hiking the trail and all the boulders are sitting on, or just off the trail somewhere. DRIVING: From Tahoe City, drive south on HWY 89 for 10.7 miles to Meeks Bay and park at the Meeks Bay Trailhead. The trailhead is located on the west side of the highway, 2 blocks north of the fire station. APPROACH: The trail heads out the north side of the huge meadow. Ride your bike (12 minutes) or walk (30 minutes) until the meadow almost ends and you see a cluster of signs on the right marking the trailhead for the Tahoe/Yosemite trail. Stash your bike here if you have one. Walk out the trail for 1 hour and 20 minutes to Crag Lake or hit one of the areas before you get there. The trail is fairly easy and only gains 1200 ft in elevation in 5.5 miles. There are also many areas past Crag Lake. Read the beta boxes on the following pages for exact beta to the zone your heading to.